August 16, 2011 - Canadian and U.S. government officials along with business leaders will meet in Yellowknife this week to discuss issues of importance to the Northwest Territories (NWT) at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Capital Visit and Arctic Caucus.

The Capital Visit will take place on Aug. 17, and the Arctic Caucus will be held on Aug. 18 – 19, 2011.

The theme of the Arctic Caucus, “Arctic Action: Global Growth” will see delegates coming together to explore various issues of importance to the Arctic region, including arctic search and rescue, mining, infrastructure, and spill response technology.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod will host and chair the 2011 PNWER Capital Visit and Arctic Caucus. MLA for Kam Lake and Chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure David Ramsay will also be attending.

“Hosting this event in Yellowknife provides an ideal forum to collaborate on issues that will ensure a stronger voice for the Arctic,” said Minister McLeod. “Moreover, we will be able to give delegates a stronger understanding of the NWT’s economic potential, highlight the issues we are facing and garner support in areas that will allow us to move forward.
 
“Meetings such as the PNWER Arctic Caucus are essential in ensuring that our regions can collaborate on the common challenges our jurisdictions face, and explore solutions together,” said MLA Ramsay. “I am thrilled that Yellowknife has been given the opportunity to host this event and am eager to discuss our common economic issues over the course of this Caucus.”

Some Arctic Caucus speakers include:

• Mr. John Cameron, VP & GM of Marsh Creek LLC Energy Systems – Gas to Wires: Arctic Infrastructure for Development.


• Dr. Brian Chambers, National Energy Board(NEB) Northern Advisor – Process/Outcomes of Arctic Offshore Drilling Review.


• Mr. Larry Dietrick, Director, Division of Spill Prevention and Response Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation – Spill Planning, Preparedness and Response in the Arctic and Opportunities for Cooperation between Alaska, Yukon and NWT.


• Mr. Tom Hoefer, Executive Director, NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines – A Brief History and Overview of Mining in the NWT.


• Dr. Harvey Brooks, Deputy Minister, Yukon Economic Development – Infrastructure Gateways to Support Economic Development.

 

On Aug. 18 Fred Carmichael, Chair of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, will also give a lunchtime keynote address on the Mackenzie Gas Project.

Another highlight of the Capital Visit is a planned roundtable session with members of the NWT business community, to discuss how NWT businesses and PNWER can work together for mutual benefit.

PNWER is a public/private partnership established in 1991 promoting collaboration between the organization’s 10 regional partners. The NWT joined PNWER in 2009. The other PNWER members include British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

The PNWER Arctic Caucus was formed in November 2009 as a group of legislators, government officials, business and non-profit leaders committed to the responsible development of North America’s Arctic. The purpose of the Arctic Caucus is to provide a forum within PNWER for the arctic jurisdictions of Alaska, Yukon and NWT to share information, discuss issues of mutual concern, and to identify areas for collaboration; which may include providing arctic-relevant input to PNWER working groups.

The NWT’s participation in PNWER exemplifies the GNWT’s ongoing commitment to maximize northern opportunities for economic development, as envisioned in the Northerners Working Together plan.

For more information, please contact:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Phone: (867) 920-8696

Jessica Fournier
Acting Public Affairs and Communications Advisor
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
Phone: (867) 669-2230