INUVIK (April 10, 2014) – The GNWT has concluded government-to-government meetings with the Beaufort-Delta Regional Council (BDRC). GNWT Cabinet ministers and BDRC leaders discussed their joint commitment to the transition to self-government and to establishing an intergovernmental agreement on programs and services.

“Forums like this one allow us to set joint priorities for work in a region,” said Premier Bob McLeod. “These meetings have the most impact when we collaborate to address issues based on common goals. Our governments identified sustainable development, housing and improved service delivery as shared priorities. That led directly to investments in the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, improvements to our homeownership programs and Small Communities Homelessness Fund to benefit residents in this region and continued planning for the Mackenzie Valley Fibreoptic Link to establish Inuvik as a global leader in remote satellite sensing and improve service delivery along the route.”

Shared priorities in modernizing NWT governance led directly to the completion of the Devolution Final Agreement and to significant progress on the Inuvialuit Self-Government Agreement.

“Our Inuvialuit partners were key to the development of the Intergovernmental Council and the resource revenue sharing agreement, which are unique in Canada,” said Premier McLeod. “This was our first meeting with the BDRC since the transfer of responsibility for public lands and resources on April 1. Together we will manage land to achieve our shared vision of a unified, sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.”

Cabinet ministers met the new Inuvik staff of the Department of Lands and the Petroleum Resources Division of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, both created to implement the devolution agreement and ensure sustainable development and a strong economy for a poverty-free NWT. They also toured the construction site for the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, a complex project that is a step towards completing the last road link to the Arctic Ocean, connecting Canada for the first time from sea to sea to sea while reducing the cost of living and increasing economic opportunities in the region.

For more information:

Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Tel: (867) 669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca