YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (January 14, 2005) - - The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State for Northern Development; the Honourable Brendan Bell, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Government of the Northwest Territories; and J. Michael Yeager, President and Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Oil Resources, on behalf of the Mackenzie Gas Project proponents, are pleased to announce $4 million in funding for the Resource Pre-Development Program (RPDP). RPDP is a program established to support Aboriginal groups and communities impacted by the Mackenzie Gas Project to prepare for and negotiate benefits and land access agreements with the Mackenzie Gas Project proponents. A portion of the territorial government's contribution to the program will provide some resources to assist tax-based communities in negotiating fee-for-service arrangements with the Mackenzie Gas Project proponents if there is an opportunity for both parties to benefit. The commitment in the Speech from the Throne to develop Canada's first ever comprehensive, multi-dimensional northern strategy confirms that the Government of Canada takes its mandate to support Northerners' political, social and sustainable development goals very seriously. The Government of Canada is committed to working with Northerners to ensure they can capitalize on the exciting opportunities that have been opening in Canada, North of 60. "Our government recognizes the need for capacity development and consensus building for Aboriginal groups involved in the proposed natural gas development project in the Northwest Territories," said Minister Blondin-Andrew. "This funding will ensure that important groundwork is laid for future development." "We are pleased to contribute to the capacity needed to negotiate benefits and access agreements for the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project," said Imperial's Yeager. "Concluding these agreements in a timely manner is essential to advancing this opportunity." "I am pleased to see that the partners in this program have recognized that there may be opportunities for fee-for-service agreements with some of our tax-based municipalities," said Minister Bell. "This is an example of some of the creative solutions that will be required as the Mackenzie Gas Project moves forward." "This project will help build the knowledge and expertise necessary for the proposed development to move forward," said the Honourable Minister Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. "It will help communities prepare for the important opportunities that will be presented to them." DIAND and the Mackenzie Gas Project proponents contributed $1.8 million each in funding to the RPDP program while the GNWT contributed $400,000. DIAND has agreed to coordinate this program, based on criteria developed through consultation with all of the contributors. The establishment of this program by the federal and territorial governments and the proponents is in response to the need for funding support at the community and regional level to help with the timely completion of benefits and access agreements. This is just one of the many initiatives the federal and territorial governments have been working on to ensure that communities impacted by the Mackenzie Gas Project have an opportunity to meaningfully participate and benefit from this project. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Lorne Tricoteux Associate Regional Director General Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (867) 669-2501 Hart Searle Public Affairs Imperial Oil Limited (403) 237-2710 Peter Vician Deputy Minister Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Government of the Northwest Territories (867) 920-8048 Backgrounder - Resource Pre-Development Program (RPDP)
