NORMAN WELLS (September 26, 2012) -- The Sahtu Exploration Readiness Session is taking place in Norman Wells this week, with over 100 representatives from industry, government, Aboriginal organizations and corporations, community leaders and small business in attendance to discuss and identify the best ways to prepare for the boom in exploration that will take place in the region over the coming years.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay addressed attendees at a luncheon earlier today. “We can work together to translate the potential in the Sahtu into jobs, investment, business growth, training opportunities, infrastructure development and growth for our communities and Aboriginal corporations,” he noted. “We are all here today to ensure that the Canol shale oil play is understood and developed in a way that will become the new model for responsible and sustainable development and can be an economic legacy for the people of the Sahtu and Northwest Territories.”
“The Sahtu is the sweet spot for energy in the North. I am pleased that ITI organized this forum to find out what the oil companies are planning this winter and future developments,” said Norman Yakeleya, Sahtu MLA. “We are preparing ourselves, like our ancestors prepared themselves for hunting or trapping; we must survive.”
The two-day session covers a range of topics that allows attendees to discuss and provide input on the many opportunities and possible challenges related to Sahtu development. Agenda topics range from maintaining a safe and healthy workforce, to local business preparedness, to the long-term potential and opportunity of shale oil development in the area.
Industry will be on hand to discuss the best ways to work together for a successful work season and exploring best practices for oil exploration.
The session was developed and funded in partnership with the Norman Wells Land Corporation and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Municipal and Community Affairs and Education, Culture and Employment. Several industry partners also provided sponsorship.
Ensuring residents and businesses are prepared to benefit from economic activity and exploring potential for economic growth are vital ways to strengthen and diversify our economy, a key goal of the 17th Legislative Assembly.
For more information, contact:
Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-8696