My thanks – first of all – to the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and the NWT Geoscience Office for their continued good work and commitment in hosting and organizing this annual event – and in particular – for the invitation and opportunity to speak this morning.

I would also like to offer up congratulations on behalf of Premier Bob McLeod and my Government of the Northwest Territories colleagues, on the 40th anniversary of the Geoscience Forum. 

This annual event has been – and continues to be – an important fixture in our collective schedules.  It is a chance to meet with colleagues, a place to exchange information and ideas, a social event, a place to do business, and an opportunity to profile the North to our southern colleagues.

40 years ago, Canadians were basking in the glory of Henderson’s famous goal over the Russians; this theatre was probably showing Marlon Brando in the Godfather.  

The Northwest Territories included what we now know as Nunavut – our collective Government was headed by a federal Commissioner.

Yellowknife was a gold town.  Prospectors and enthusiasts gathered at the Miner’s Mess to tell stories about places like Pine Point, Echo Bay, Lupin and Nanisivik.    

I’m told about 150 people attended the first Geoscience Forum in 1972; this year’s attendance is close to 1000.  This event has grown - it has changed and evolved - and so too has our North.

This morning’s announcement by BHP Billiton and Harry Winston puts an exclamation point on that.

The success of the Ekati Mine project is one that we have all appreciated and shared in.  The arrival of BHP Billiton marked a new economic era for Canada’s North and a new way of doing businesses for our Territory.  Today, we look forward to building on this strong track record - and our growing relationship with Harry Winston Ltd – to turn the page on a new chapter in our Territory’s rich mining history.

This morning’s announcement also serves to reiterate how immense the potential of our Territory really is: from oil and gas to hydro to precious, base, and rare metals and minerals – we are well positioned to take a big step forward in coming years as a contributing economic jurisdiction – not just to Canada – but North America.

As Minister Aglukkaq noted, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the NWT Geoscience Office this year in its modern, purpose-built location in the C.S. Lord Building here in Yellowknife. I am glad that Minister Aglukkaq could be with us this morning to pay tribute to those individuals whose foresight and commitment first brought together federal and territorial geoscience resources under one roof and for a common goal. 

The result has clearly been successful. Staff at the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office have already experienced and completed the transition that the GNWT itself is now preparing for with devolution.  They are a proud testament to the fact that the result will be a more co-ordinated, streamlined and efficient provision of government services.

The vision that first created the NWT Geoscience Office a decade ago was one of strength through partnership. 

And as removed as it may seem from our northern environment, this partnership is reflected in the metaphor and old country wisdom of a farmer’s milking stool…

On two legs, the stool won’t stand.  With three – it is balanced and stable on any ground – and in any environment.

As a Government, we talk a lot about our role – and the role of industry – in building a rich, balanced and sustainable economic foundation on which we can advance our future.

As important as the two legs of government and industry are, there is an all-important third leg that doesn’t get celebrated near enough: I speak – of course – of Geoscience.

Our expanding inventory of resource developments, our nation-leading GDP numbers and our amazing investment potential could not have been realized without the strong and proud track record of sound geoscience that we have in the NWT and Nunavut.

Many of you attending this year’s Forum were not alive when the first gathering of this community took place in 1972.

One thing that rings as true today as it did then is this:  

Regardless of the advances, improvements or evolution that has been made in the last 40 years, the success of resource development still rests heavily on the innovative and resourceful men and women who apply science to the search for natural resources in the North.

Your work – as much as any other work that is being invested in our North today – has set the stage for our future.

Led by research and exploration, Geoscience has - and will continue to be - the all-important trail blazer for our resource industry. Many industry colleagues have followed – bringing much needed investment and economic development for our communities and people.  

Government has and will continue to support and condition an environment that allows our many partnerships to succeed and flourish – facilitating investment that will generate jobs and responsible economic growth, while ensuring environmental stewardship remains paramount - and enabling residents of the NWT and Nunavut to benefit and prosper from our land’s wealth of resources.

We have made it clear that if we want to build a strong and sustainable North, we cannot work or address our challenges and relationships individually – we must work together.

This morning, we are celebrating a partnership between federal and territorial governments in support of resource development in Canada’s North that is more than 10 years old.

We’re also celebrating an event that - for 40 years - has been a forum in which to bring together the partnership of geoscientists and developers.

And as we look ahead - we can celebrate the fact that – together - we are contributing to the reality of a North in which strong individuals, families and communities can share the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous future.

Thank you.