Northern Development Ministers’ Forum

Peace River, Alberta, September 20, 2002 – Ministers responsible for northern development concluded a conference today aimed at advancing Canada’s northern regions. Chaired by the Honourable Pearl Calahasen, Alberta Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the two-day conference centred on Building the North.

Previous Northern Development Ministers conferences were held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador in 2000 and La Ronge, Saskatchewan in 2001. The Northern Development Ministers Forum was established at the 2001 conference.

Minister Calahasen was very pleased with the outcome of the conference. “We accomplished a great deal. We re-affirmed our commitment, as northern ministers, to work together to address northern opportunities and challenges.”

Over the past two days, the Ministers adopted a three-year action plan for the Forum, discussed progress on northern initiatives across the country, reviewed three priority projects, and considered a recommendation from the Government of Nunavut for a future priority project.

Minister Buckley Belanger, Saskatchewan Northern Affairs, echoed Minister Calahasen’s statement: “This conference in Peace River is an excellent follow-up to last year’s conference in La Ronge. The Ministers built on previous discussions and committed to act on projects that will assist us in developing our northern regions.”

Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec made presentations about strategies for development in their northern regions. Ontario spoke about the Northern Ontario Medical School; Manitoba presented the five priorities of its Northern Development Strategy: housing, health, transportation, education and training, and economic development; and, Quebec summarized its development activities in Northern Quebec, highlighting its agreements with the Cree and Inuit. Nunavut recommended a priority project for the 2003 Forum, focusing on science and innovation.

During the conference, the Ministers reviewed and committed to build on three priority projects identified in 2001. These projects include formulating a northern awareness enhancement campaign, preparing a strategy to increase investment in infrastructure for northern development and documenting best practices to recruit and retain northern skilled labour. Ministers directed their senior officials to continue developing these projects during the coming year.

“These projects address important issues for our northern jurisdictions,” noted Minister Calahasen. “By working together we can share our experiences, expertise and ideas toward the betterment of the North, its residents and businesses.”

Ministers also heard a presentation from Priscilla Wohl, Executive Director of The Northern Forum, an international organization that promotes the socio-economic development of northern regions. In October 2002, Minister Calahasen will become the organization’s Vice-Chair for North America.

The Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, attended the conference. Minister Nault sees the Northern Development Ministers Forum as an excellent mechanism to address challenges unique to northerners. Minister Nault underlined the importance of collaborative approaches to take advantage of opportunities in the North.

Ministers responsible for northern development will hold their next conference in September 2003 in Nunavut.

In attendance:
Canada
Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Alberta (Chair)
Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Gary Friedel, MLA Peace River and Chair, Northern Alberta Development Council
British Columbia
Bill Belsey, MLA North Coast
Manitoba
Eric Robinson, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs
Newfoundland and Labrador
Ernest McLean, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
Northwest Territories
Jim Antoine, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Roger T. Allen, Minister of Justice and Minister Responsible for NWT Housing
Nunavut
Rosemary Keenainak, Assistant Deputy Minister and Ed McKenna, Director, Department of Sustainable Development
Ontario
Cameron Clark, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Quebec
Michel Létourneau, Minister for Native Affairs and Development of Northern Quebec
Saskatchewan
Buckley Belanger, Minister of Saskatchewan Northern Affairs
Yukon
Meg Horn, Senior Planner, Department of Finance

-30-

Contacts:

                                               

Peter Tadman            Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development            Government of Alberta            (780) 415-0876

Renée Filiatrault            Indian Affairs and Northern Development            Government of Canada            (780) 997-0002

---

Northern Development Ministers Conference
Supplement – Ministers Remarks

Peace River, Alberta, September 20, 2002 – “By working cooperatively, we are all able to better convince our respective governments of the importance of northern development,” said the Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. “We must partner with private and public sector groups and we must take advantage of opportunities such as this Forum to learn from one another, to swap success stories and to share best practices.”

Honourable Pearl Calahasen agreed with Minister Nault. “The mission of the Northern Development Ministers Forum is to advance the diverse and common interests of northerners, and we are doing that with this conference,” said Calahasen. “The Government of Alberta is committed to advancing development in our North, and is working on a Northern Development Strategy.”

Gary Friedel, Chair of the Northern Alberta Development Council added: “Through initiatives such as the Northern Awareness Enhancement Campaign, we are working to raise awareness of the accomplishments, contributions and potential of Northern Canada.”

The Honourable Eric Robinson, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Manitoba, noted that the theme for this year’s Northern Development Ministers Conference Building the North complements the Government of Manitoba’s commitment to strengthening Aboriginal participation in the economy. It also reflects the intent of Manitoba’s Northern Development Strategy.

“Through this initiative, the Government of Manitoba is fully committed to improving opportunities and conditions in northern Manitoba,” said Robinson. “We want a strong, vibrant and thriving north. Our Northern Development Strategy includes enhancing partnerships and cooperative approaches between communities, Aboriginal organizations, the private sector and governments.

“Since the 2001 La Ronge conference, the Forum has focused on three priorities for northern social and economic development,” said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Minister of Saskatchewan Northern Affairs. “Officials have documented northern recruitment and retention best practices that are of interest to all members of the Forum. Work has begun on identifying key economic infrastructure investment opportunities and requirements in the north led by the Northwest Territories. Perhaps our most important priority is the development of a northern awareness enhancement campaign. The purpose of such a campaign is to highlight to southern decision-makers, investors and the public the contributions of northern regions to Canada’s economy, as well as opportunities for future investment and growth.”

“The Northern Development Ministers Forum provides opportunities to bring forward constructive dialogue on how best to move the northern agenda forward,” said Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernest McLean. “This Forum at Peace River builds on the accomplishments of the previous two conferences – at La Ronge, Saskatchewan and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador – and will help create an awareness of the important issues faced by communities in northern regions throughout the country, such as infrastructure development and recruitment and retention of professionals.”

“Highway infrastructure is a fundamental requirement for northern Canadians,” said the Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development for the Government of the Northwest Territories. “Benefits are not limited to improving the quality of life for northern Canadians who drive and depend upon northern highways. Investments in northern highways also accelerate and facilitate development and growth of natural resource based industries, fuelling local economies and creating jobs and business opportunities.”

Speaking on behalf of Nunavut Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk, Rosemary Keenainak, Assistant Deputy Minister, stated: “Nunavut’s social and economic conditions are unique in Canada, but I think our experience in developing our society and economy is of great relevance to other northerners, just as I know Nunavummiut have much to learn from our friends in the Territories and the other northern regions. We look forward to welcoming Northern Ministers to our next annual meeting—in Nunavut in 2003—where I am sure we will continue to develop partnerships and extend the range of issues on which we can find common ground for the benefit of all northerners.”

“The development of Northern Quebec constitutes a priority for Quebec—a fact reflected in the actions of the government,” said Honourable Michel Létourneau, Minister for Native Affairs and Development of Northern Quebec. “The recent signing of historic agreements between the nation of Quebec and the Cree and Inuit nations marks a new era in relations between Quebec and Natives. These agreements, coming under the heading of respect for the environment, pave the way to unprecedented economic and community development opportunities for the North. I intend furthermore to make Quebec a leading force in northern affairs on the international scene.”

“There is no doubt that Quebec’s participation in the Northern Development Minister’s Forum represents an additional opportunity for Quebec to share its achievements in this area and to learn from those of my colleagues. In this regard, I am especially pleased our discussions have made it possible for us to confirm that Quebec will host the Forum in 2004,” concluded Létourneau.

“The Northern Development Ministers Conference gives everyone the opportunity to share experiences and ideas to promote economic development in northern parts of our country,” said Bill Belsey, MLA from Prince Rupert, British Columbia. “In British Columbia, we are focusing on bridging the digital divide by bringing broadband high speed telecommunications to northern communities and on ensuring these communities have the infrastructure necessary to take advantage of economic development opportunities and growth.”

On behalf of the Honourable Jim Wilson, Cameron Clark, Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Northern Development and Mines, stated: “The Ontario government’s commitment to develop a northern medical school with campuses in Sudbury and Thunder Bay will enable students to develop their skills and experience while working in northern communities. Statistics indicate that such a school will also mean more graduates will opt to stay in the North to practice their skills.”