March 10, 2011 - Premier Floyd K. Roland says he hopes today’s endorsement of the Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) by the Government of Canada is a sign of even greater support to come.

“The federal government’s decision is another significant milestone for this nation-building project and ensures that this project is advanced in the interest of all Canadians,” said the Premier. “The MGP will benefit the entire country by strengthening Canada’s reputation as an energy superpower, and creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity across Canada.”

It is estimated that the MGP could contribute $67.5 billion to the NWT economy and over $86 billion to the Canadian economy. Natural gas shipped to market through the MGP would also help to displace fuels that produce significant greenhouse gas emissions.

The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Bob McLeod, emphasizes that the MGP is about more than just the pipeline. It is a basin opening project and is about expanding services, transportation infrastructure, and resource exploration in the NWT, as well as fostering business, employment, and training opportunities for residents of the NWT and Canada.

“The potential returns on this initiative far exceed the cost of construction,” said Minister McLeod. “We encourage industry and the federal government to work together to advance a fiscal framework, similar to when today’s energy powerhouse provinces – Newfoundland, Alberta and Saskatchewan – were first developing their immense resource wealth.”

The GNWT believes that sustainable and environmentally responsible resource development projects, like the Mackenzie Gas Project, will benefit NWT residents by diversifying the economy and empowering communities and regions with opportunities and choices as envisioned by the 16th Legislative Assembly in its Northerners Working Together plan.

For more information, contact:

Press Secretary
Office of the Premier/Cabinet
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 669-2302