Yellowknife (November 26, 2012) The co-chairs of the Northwest Territories - Alberta Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation and Development met in Yellowknife today to discuss the environment, economy, energy, transportation and advanced education and employment.
This longstanding MOU, which is due for renewal in 2013, gives both jurisdictions the opportunity to discuss cross-boundary issues and their impacts. The co-chairs of the MOU are Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, Stephen Khan and Northwest Territories Minister of Finance and Environment and Natural Resources Michael Miltenberger.
This was the first meeting of the MOU since Minister Khan took on the role of co-chair for Alberta earlier this year. In addition to updates on a number of cross-boundary issues that have been previously discussed, best practices in labour attraction and retention in the North and highlights in advanced education were shared.
“The Government of Alberta is proud of this valuable partnership and we are committed to continuing the work that has come from this relationship as we share many common interests and challenges," said Stephen Khan, Minister of Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education. “This collaboration strengthens our ability to work more efficiently together and enable both jurisdictions to seize shared opportunities such as market expansion for energy.”
“Our populations, particularly along our shared border, have much in common and may share infrastructure or services such as health care. It is important that we continue this dialogue to explore ways we can work together to address common interests, such as management of transboundary water and sustainable development, and update each other on our challenges and opportunities for further cooperation,” added Minister Miltenberger.
The next meeting of the co-chairs will be in 2013.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Press Secretary for Premier/Cabinet
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone (867) 669-2304
Marie Iwanow,
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education
Phone (780) 718-0320