November 8, 2010 - Premier Roland delivered a keynote speech to the Arctic Future Seminar in Helsinki, Finland today.

Good afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.The subject of today’s seminar is one of particular interest to myself and to the people of the Northwest Territories. We have acutely experienced the rapid change that has characterized the Arctic in recent years and confronted the questions of what that change means to the interests and perspectives of Northerners.

There are many stories from the 19th and early 20th centuries about explorers rushing from all over the world to seize opportunities in the great “gold rush.” One could say the 21st century will be known for the “cold rush,” as the international community increasingly sets its sights on the Arctic.

Northerners in Canada have been struck by the sudden renewed interest in the Arctic and in Canada’s North.

In fact, we’ve had more attention paid to us by the world in the last few years than over the past few decades. We welcome that, and we’re encouraged by it.

We’re also encouraged by our federal government’s recent Statement on Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy. It places emphasis on the Arctic Council as the leading multilateral forum through which Northern governments and Permanent Participants can work on issues and opportunities in the region.

To us, that’s the right approach. The Arctic Council is poised to play a key role in helping shape our collective response to this “great global awakening” that’s taking place.

In many ways the world is realizing what Northerners have always known to be true: that the Arctic holds a special and strategic place in the world – economically, politically and environmentally – and that the North’s unique beauty and relatively untouched landscapes really are the “tip of the iceberg”, if you’ll pardon the pun.

And it’s a realization that has gripped everyone very quickly.

Certainly a lot of that has to do with resources. We’ve got a planet with geo-political and socio-economic realities that are more complex than ever.

In addition to well-established “western” economies, we have emerging nations that are pursuing aggressive growth – positioning themselves as the “world’s factories” for consumer goods, textiles, you name it.

China and India, each a billion-people strong, are aiming to build domestic middle classes.

And we have signs of economic life after a drastic global downturn. A gradual “restarting” of the world’s economic engines.

All of that represents demand for resources – energy, metals and minerals. That demand is only going to increase. Estimates suggest the world’s population will rise to about 9.3 billion people by 2050.

And let’s face it, there are gradually fewer and fewer places left to find those resources.

It’s one of the key reasons that the Northwest Territories – and the rest of Canada’s North – is attracting so much international attention now.

Interestingly, much of the NWT’s potential is in renewable energy resources. Resources that will contribute to Canada, North America and the world achieving better environmental performance.

Part of this potential is in our natural gas resources.

We’re also excited about our potential in renewable energy like wind and solar technologies.

And an incredible potential in hydro power.

The NWT has the potential and we aspire to be among the leaders in green energy production for the entire North American continent.

Add to that our metals and minerals deposits, including oil and especially rare earths, and you can better see why the world is taking interest.

But all this potential comes with challenges.

A key challenge for our territory is transportation infrastructure.

We’re a territory of about 43,000 people spread out over 1.3 million square kilometres. Compared to your wonderful country we have less than 1 percent of your population base living in a land mass four times the size of Finland.

As a result of our lower population density, we don’t have a highly integrated network of modern transportation corridors.

In fact, we rely on ice roads during the winter season. We rely on them more heavily than we’d like to. This creates financial and logistical challenges. Something as fundamental as getting food to grocery stores is a complex affair. Flying in goods, supplies and people can get expensive, and in some cases, or at certain times of year, it’s the only means available.

As a result, working to secure national investment in the NWT’s transportation infrastructure is at the top of our priority list. If we’re going to unlock the incredible potential of the North’s resources it is imperative that we provide a means of accessing our resources.

In the NWT we also share the concern and the challenge of climate change.

Our average annual temperatures have increased by nearly 2° Celsius since the 1940’s resulting in changes to weather and ice conditions, to permafrost and wildlife

Quite frankly, in the Northwest Territories we are the proverbial canary in the coal mine. We are first-hand witnesses to the impacts of climate change. We are seeing warmer winters, melting of ice once considered permanent, and melting of the permafrost.

Due to melting sea ice the northern deep-water route of the Northwest Passage has become open to shipping during certain seasons, and it’s happened two years in a row now. The first two years in recorded history.

Canadian scientists have also revealed that the ancient ice shelves of Ellesmere Island have been disappearing rapidly.

Melting sea ice is also contributing to rising sea levels and increased storms causing coastal erosion in some communities.

This introduces some key issues that will affect our way of life in the NWT – not the least of which is financial – and that is the cost of adaptation.

In regards to the ice roads I referred to, the technology and work required to keep them going in the face of warmer winters is not cheap. Meanwhile the cost of all weather roads to replace ice roads is also increasing as the costs and considerations of building on not so permanent permafrost is also getting increasingly complex A more accessible Northwest Passage means the prospect of increased international shipping. Those shipping lanes go right through the Northwest Territories.

Many of you are from countries that have offshore oil development or see oil shipping through your waters. Myself, I’m from Inuvik, a community on the edge of the Beaufort Sea under which there is a considerable amount of oil and gas.

I don’t think I need to describe to you the chill that goes through my spine when hear and see stories about tragedies like the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf, or the Exxon Valdez.

I don’t want to single out the oil industry here. My point is that maritime shipping comes with potential risks and impacts to varying degrees to the environment, like any other activity. With global warming making our Northern waters more accessible, we will need to manage those risks and strive to mitigate impacts to our expansive coastline.

And on the subject of our coastline we know Northern sovereignty will continue to be a challenge.

Increased interest and activity in North brings with it the potential for disputes over territories and resources.

In that context, it’s more important than ever that circumpolar nations do what’s necessary to ensure our Northern and Arctic regions are and remain strong and dynamic. Our view in the NWT is that the best way to assert sovereignty is to have vibrant, dynamic and healthy communities, bustling with economic and cultural activity.

This is an interesting point because it speaks to some of the jurisdictional challenges and opportunities we are facing as a territory.

As you may know, the constitution of Canada defines the authorities and responsibilities of the federal government and provincial governments. But as the NWT is not a province we do not share the same responsibilities and authorities as them.

The NWT has its own Legislature and its own Government, which have delegated responsibility over many but not all matters.

One of these matters that we are in the midst of addressing is about jurisdiction over non-renewable resources in the NWT. Under existing arrangements the federal government retains control over all non-renewable resources and receives the royalties generated by their development.

So I am happy to share with you that we are working with Canada as we speak to devolve these authorities and responsibilities to the NWT. Once we move forward with this, from a budgetary perspective, the NWT will have the same financial flexibility that other parts of the country have to invest in its programs, services and infrastructure.

I point to this as an example of how a territorial government and federal government are working together to move forward a shared Northern Vision of improved and devolved governance so that we can advance our national interests in the Arctic.

Determining that “Northern perspective” can also be a challenge. A unique aspect of the NWT is the great number of voices and leaders that play a role in governance of the territory. This includes Aboriginal self governments, our many incorporated communities, and the NWT government. Each has unique circumstances and views.

So we have vast potential in our backyard.

Incredible opportunities on our horizon.

Some very real and challenging issues that we need to navigate if we’re going have long term success.

And distributed political and decision-making authority.

How in the midst of this, do we ensure that Northern perspectives and knowledge are advanced?

How do we make sure these are identified and infused into the key debates and discussions we need to have?

How do we move forward – nationally and internationally – so that the voices of circumpolar societies are effectively shaping the future of the Arctic?

Well, to me, the essential elements are dialogue, collaboration and consensus.

Those are the elements that are at the heart of our governance system in the NWT. And they’re what I think is needed in this day and age.

A willingness to reach across the aisle and work in partnership. To engage collaboratively. To look at issues and opportunities not just through our own lens, but through the lens of others as well.

To have the courage to consider new and innovative ways of doing things, even if the idea wasn’t yours.

Now more than ever, people are looking for dialogue and collaboration.

They’re not looking for a boxing match. They’re not looking for a winner and loser on every policy question and policy debate. They want action. They want results. They’re looking for their elected leaders to get something done.

The marketplace of ideas is diverse. Each of the circumpolar nations is unique, and even within our borders there are differences of opinion.

But you need to start somewhere. You need to identify areas where you can find a kernel of agreement and then work from there.

And you take to heart those old sayings that have been passed down from generation to generation: “Many hands make light work,” and “Two heads are better than one.” Those sayings came from somewhere.

After all, most of the time people agree on the goals and objectives they want to achieve. They just have different views about how to best achieve them. Having a genuine dialogue, and a willingness to collaborate on issues, can help flush out a starting point.

We’ve adopted that spirit of dialogue and collaboration in the Northwest Territories. Right down to our Legislature.

Our Legislature doesn’t have political parties. It operates by consensus, not majority rule. Let me tell you from experience, that’s the ultimate exercise in collaboration.

Yes, it can be messy, and it can be awkward, but it promotes dialogue. And it helps us achieve a broader, better understanding of each other’s interests and perspectives than a fight between political parties would allow for.

And that dialogue is important, especially when you’re debating issues in the face of rapid change. Change is daunting; it’s scary, sometimes. Especially changes to the way of life you’ve always known.

Rapid change has already defined the lives of Northerners.

A century ago our territory was inhabited by traders, prospectors and Aboriginal groups who lived a largely subsistence lifestyle as they had done for thousands of years.

Today, the people of the Northwest Territories live in a very different world from that of our ancestors. We have adapted the way we live and the way we make a living.

We are a mature and evolving territory. Our communities now engage in productive partnerships with industry, to create opportunities for their people. We have greater Aboriginal participation in the economy, as skilled workers and business owners.

And we’ve taken positive, deliberate steps to ensure that Northern perspectives influence the way the Northwest Territories grows.

For example, the NWT government has undertaken a water strategy to ensure decisions about the use of water resources are based on Northern perspectives. We’re also developing a framework for land use in the NWT, which will provide guidance for our decisions about land management.

These initiatives reflect the special relationship that Aboriginal peoples and all Northerners have with the land and resources. And they reflect our desire to balance our economic development with protection of our unique and remarkable environment, so that current and future generations of Northerners can benefit from both.

As important as the work itself has been the manner in which we have approached it – hand in hand with our Aboriginal Governments.

It anticipates the continued evolution of NWT governance. Where authorities and decisions over Northern lands, resources, and issues are made by Northern governments – public and aboriginal – working in partnership.

Aboriginal people understand the need for sustainable approaches to our land and resources. These values are part of Aboriginal cultures, stretching back throughout history. It’s a perspective that needs to be embedded in our decision-making, and inform our development choices.

The many voices and leaders of our territory are working together to develop a shared vision for the future of our territory. To identify and pursue those key issues on which we find common ground and where our aspirations align.

So that to the greatest extent possible, Northerners are speaking with a clear and unified voice about what they want for the Northwest Territories.

Our territory also brings the same spirit of dialogue and collaboration to our relations with other governments. We are working closely with our fellow territories, Yukon and Nunavut on issues of common interest. As I mentioned, in 2007 we developed a “Northern Vision” framework on how all three territories would work together to benefit our residents.

Canada has also released its Northern Strategy, which builds on our Northern Vision by providing a framework for action to protect our environmental history, promote economic and social develop and improving and devolving governance.

Collaboration is even a hallmark of the way we do business in the NWT.

As a result of the collaborative approach we took with industry, we succeeded in generating those real benefits. The multi-billion dollar investments in the diamond mines have created employment for Aboriginal people, boosted NWT’s retail and manufacturing sectors, and have resulted in increases in average incomes.

We intend to build on this approach. It is an innovative and effective way of ensuring that Northern perspectives shape decisions about the North and Northern resources.

Politically... economically... socially... environmentally...

We have used a spirit of dialogue, a commitment to collaboration and a desire to build consensus as key tenets in building our territory. We’ve made these a foundation of our law-making structure and formal processes.

But legal structure and formalized processes are only part of the equation. It’s the spirit in which we work with each other and relate to each other that truly influences our success.

As greater attention is focused on the Arctic, as we are presented with exciting opportunities and related challenges, staying true to the touchstones of dialogue, collaboration and consensus will help us ensure that Northern perspectives are advanced, considered and respected.

And they will help us shape a peaceful and prosperous Arctic that plays a pivotal role in the future of our planet.

Thank you.