VANCOUVER (September 5, 2012) -- Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Michael Miltenberger are attending the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy, the preeminent forum for water policy study.  Premier McLeod will speak about the NWT’s approach to collaborative management of natural resources and balanced, sustainable development. This approach creates economic opportunities for the people of the NWT while ensuring northern conservation priorities are met. Minister Miltenberger will speak about the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, which aims to keep the waters of the Northwest Territories clean, abundant, and productive for all time.

“I grew up on the Mackenzie River and I’ve seen first-hand how development in the south can affect our Northern waters,” said Premier McLeod. “The Mackenzie River Basin has global significance and our government is committed to seeing its ecological values preserved while sustainably developing our resources to create benefits and opportunities for Northwest Territories residents in their communities and regions.”

“Water is life in the Northwest Territories,” said Minister Miltenberger. “We are working with our partners to ensure we have integrated watershed management. I look forward to hearing from the experts at the forum. We all have a role to play in ensuring that NWT waters are sustained for human use and that northern ecosystems remain healthy and diverse. ”

The forum will convene at Simon Fraser University September 5-7, 2012 and will identify legal and scientific principles relevant to the processes leading ultimately to a coordinated Mackenzie Basin-wide approach to management, as well as prioritize knowledge gaps. The forum is co-hosted by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation and SFU’s Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT).

The Government of the Northwest Territories’ Aboriginal Engagement Strategy commits the territorial government to continue to work with Aboriginal governments to ensure responsible stewardship over NWT lands, water and air.

Integrated watershed management ensures there is safe drinking water in adequate quantities for NWT residents and sustains healthy aquatic ecosystems. People depend on aquatic ecosystems for their food and drink, travel, economic growth, culture and spirituality. NWT residents need certainty that these ecosystems are healthy. Abundant and clean water also ensures we can continue to use water respectfully and productively in our chosen ways of life and economy. How we live depends on water, as does our community life, power, transport and industry.

 

For more information, contact:

 

Megan Holsapple
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories

Tel: (867) 669-2302
Fax: (867) 873-0111