CanNor-13-020
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (July 30, 2013) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Minister for the Arctic Council today announced funding that will help communities in the Northwest Territories (NWT) prepare for major resource development activity in their regions.
“The Government of Canada recognizes that responsible resource development in the North has the potential to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “These investments will help communities take advantage of the significant economic opportunities that are on the horizon for the Northwest Territories.”
"This funding will help us continue to advance sustainable development projects that promote self-sufficiency for communities, businesses, and people of the Sahtu," said David Ramsay, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment with the Government of the Northwest Territories. "Industry exploration has already helped the Sahtu Region reach an all-time high in employment rates and business profits and these funds will continue to build that positive momentum."
CanNor is investing $161,000 in three projects that will help NWT communities to plan and participate in resource development projects.
- The Tulita District Land Corporation received $91,000 to complete a subsurface rights process for high value parcels near the Sahtu shale oil play. This involves reviewing the economic potential of subsurface lands and packaging and promoting the subsurface rights in the marketplace.
- The Nahanni Butte Dene Band received $45,000 to support Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA) negotiations with Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd. for the Selwyn Project. The IBA will enable the Nahanni Butte Dene Band to capitalize on employment, training and service contracting opportunities mainly associated with Howard Pass Access Road upgrading activities that arise during mine construction, production and remediation.
- The Government of the NWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment received $25,000 to help develop an economic impact assessment model for oil and gas exploration in the Sahtu Region. To achieve this, subject matter experts examined the current and potential scope of exploration activities and identified associated opportunities, challenges and their implications.
With contributions from the proponents, industry and the territorial government, these initiatives represent $330,000 in investments in community capacity building. These efforts are complemented by CanNor’s Northern Projects Management Office, which works to advance responsible resource development across the North.
These investments are made possible through CanNor's Community Economic Opportunities Program (CEOP) and the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program. CEOP and SINED are two of several economic development programs within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.
For more information, visit Canada's Northern Strategy.
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Ted Laking
819-997-1441
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Christina Gray
Communications Advisor, NWT
867-766-8435
Government of the Northwest Territories Industry, Tourism and Investment
Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
867-920-8696
