Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Northern Development

La Ronge, Saskatchewan, September 28, 2001 - Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for northern development concluded a 2-day conference with an agreement to establish a Northern Development Ministers Forum with a mandate to advance the common and diverse interests of Northerners. Officials will now further design and plan the Forum's agenda over the coming months. The conference was chaired by the Hon. Keith Goulet, Saskatchewan Minister of Northern Affairs and hosted by the Government of Saskatchewan.

Today's meeting follows an inaugural meeting one year ago, hosted by Labrador and Northern Affairs Minister, The Hon. Ernest McLean, in Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Labrador, where Ministers responsible for northern development first discussed the idea.

"With the broad mandates we have, our constituents have high expectations for us to effectively represent their interests and priorities across the wide range of government policy and program initiatives affecting their lives" said Minister Goulet. "The Forum will be a flexible vehicle providing better ongoing contact among Northern Development Ministers. Through ongoing comparison of our common challenges, innovative approaches and 'best practices,' we will be in a better position to learn from one another, and to improve our support for economic and social development in northern Canada."

During the conference, Ministers considered key northern social development challenges and requirements, and shared perspectives on major economic development issues and initiatives in Canada's northern areas. Strengthening social and economic capacity and addressing the infrastructure needs of northern communities was a central theme of the discussions.

Alberta reported on actions under its recent Aboriginal Policy Framework and by its Northern Alberta Development Council to strengthen the capacity and self-reliance of northern communities, particularly in terms of increased recruitment, retention and training of skilled workers. Newfoundland and Labrador updated delegates on the progress being made in implementing its comprehensive Strategic Social Plan.

Presentations by Nunavut, Quebec and Saskatchewan emphasized the different stages the provincial and territorial governments are at in addressing the economic development challenges of their northern regions. Nunavut - Canada's newest government - will announce an overall economic development strategy in 2002. Nunavut will take advantage of its 28,000 residents' strong knowledge of the land as it integrates and grows its land-based economy and acts on opportunities in the wage economy, particularly in mining, tourism and marine fisheries. Quebec shared information on its tax and budgetary measures to stimulate: new mining, forestry and tourism developments; increased value-added processing; and the growth of small business in northern Quebec. These measures are part of Quebec's comprehensive $101 million northern economic development strategy, put in place earlier this year as the first step in implementing its Northern Quebec Region Development Policy. Saskatchewan reported progress on its two-year old forest sector expansion strategy, emphasizing the specific opportunities it provides for northern Aboriginal and community partners to participate, with industry and government, as both managers of forest areas and co-owners of major projects.

Participating Ministers also discussed how to strengthen and improve federal, provincial and territorial cooperation.

Ministers agreed the Forum will provide an important tool to increase information sharing on major initiatives and to consider ways of increasing cooperation among participating jurisdictions. The Forum will also help build public awareness of Canada's northern regions -both their challenges and their successes.

The next meetings of Ministers responsible for northern development will be held 2002 in Alberta and 2003 in Nunavut.

In attendance were:

Minister Keith Goulet, Minister of Northern Affairs, Saskatchewan
Minister Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Canada
Minister Ernest McLean, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Newfoundland and Labrador
Minister Eric Robinson, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Manitoba
Minister Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Alberta
Minister Olayuk Akesuk, Minister of Sustainable Development, Nunavut
Mr. Michel Letourneau, MNA Ungava and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, Quebec
Mr. Gary Friedel, MLA Peace River and Chair, Northern Alberta Development Council, Alberta
Mr. Roger Harris, MLA Skeena and Northern Caucus Chair, British Columbia
Mr. Doug Doan, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Northwest Territories
Mr. Mike Kenny, Economic and Energy Policy, Department of Economic Development, Yukon

- 30 -

Contacts:

Richard Turkheim Nancy Pine, Press Secretary
Office of Northern Affairs Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Government of Saskatchewan Government of Canada
(306) 425-4207 or (306-787-2143) (819) 997-0002

 

 

Northern Development Ministers Conference
Supplement - Ministers Remarks

La Ronge, Saskatchewan, September 28, 2001 - "Meetings of the Northern Development Ministers are valuable tools in helping to create more effective regional partnering strategies on social development, economic development and infrastructure investments in our northern regions." The Hon. Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, added, "One of our first tasks as a Forum will be to establish effective linkages and continuing dialogues with our colleagues participating in other key Federal/Provincial/Territorial forums."

The Hon. Eric Robinson, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Manitoba, noted that the commitment of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs in May 2001 to strengthen Aboriginal participation in the economy complements the efforts of Northern Development Ministers. "This cooperation between different levels of government can be decisive in fostering economic activity in remote northern communities. It also mirrors the recent announcement of the Manitoba Northern Development Strategy that focuses on fostering development through partnerships" Robinson said.

Echoing this theme, British Columbia's MLA for Skeena, Roger Harris, noted: "Premier Gordon Campbell has directed the 10 MLAs who make up the Northern Caucus to help fuel the North's economic revival. By creating the economic environment in which businesses and entrepreneurs can succeed, British Columbia will be able to further address the social and infrastructure needs of the North including health care, education, transportation, and technology bridging the digital divide. The Northern Development Ministers Forum will help us to compare notes on the approaches, challenges and issues of other provincial and territorial governments on the economic development of this region."

The Hon. Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Alberta commented that: "Building the capacity of northern and Aboriginal communities to effectively pursue their socioeconomic goals is essential. By becoming more self-reliant our northern and Aboriginal peoples can reap the benefits from development. " Gary Friedel, Chair of the Northern Alberta Development Council added: "It is essential that we develop Northerners' skills in order to provide them with employment opportunities to participate in the economy. This includes: increasing knowledge transfers; boosting administrative capabilities for communities; and successfully training, recruiting and retaining skilled workers and entrepreneurs."

Mr. Michel Letourneau, Member of the Quebec National Assembly for Ungava, also referred to empowering communities when it comes to their development, as well as the Quebec government's efforts to support these initiatives. "More and more, we are supporting economic, social and cultural development, while recognizing the specific character of the Nord-du-Quebec region. Quebec's development strategy for resource regions provides an overall investment of $101 million to the Nord-du-Quebec region over the next three years."

The Hon. Olayuk Akesuk, Minister of Sustainable Development, Nunavut commented: "Our study of the Nunavut economy shows us that, in the North, production is based on a mix of traditional, industrial and knowledge-based economic activities. Supporting growth in this mixed economy is not easy - government's response to economic initiatives must be strategic, balanced and include our partners in the Aboriginal organizations each step of the way. We must ensure our economic policies help meet our commitments to healthy communities and environmental stewardship."

"One of the more important tasks of the Forum will be to raise awareness of the accomplishments, contributions and potential of northern Canada" said the Hon. Ernest McLean, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. "To do this, we need to increase our networking and strengthen our internal networks of intelligence sharing among northern Ministers".

 

- 30 -