April 28, 2011 - Territorial premiers released the Pan-Territorial Adaptation Strategy and the Pan-Territorial Renewable Energy Inventory in Yellowknife today at the conclusion of the ninth annual Northern Premiers’ Forum.

“These documents underscore the need for northern governments to work together to address climate change and to explore renewable energy supplies,” said Floyd K. Roland, NWT Premier and chair of this year’s Northern Premiers’ Forum.“These papers build on priorities outlined in our Northern Vision document released in 2007. Territorial governments are working together to expand the use of renewable energy in ways that will reduce the cost of energy for residents, communities, businesses and industry in our North.”
“Northern premiers believe that a pan-territorial approach to important issues leads to a better quality of life for northerners,” said Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie. “We are committed to working on a strategic common approach to highlight to Canada the unique needs of the North in areas such as health care funding and infrastructure development.”

“The predicted effects of climate change stand to have far-reaching effects on the North. Through a collaborative effort, the three territories have prepared these two documents to ensure we both adapt to these changes, and explore our use of renewable energy that will lead us into the future,” said Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak.

Territorial premiers have a long history of cooperation and partnership. Premiers Roland, Fentie, and Aariak are committed to working together to improve the quality of life for all northern residents. The Northern Premiers’ Forum not only formalizes the partnership but also provides an opportunity for the territorial premiers to develop northern solutions to issues of common concern.

The increasing international attention on the circumpolar world, and the economic, environmental and political significance of the Canadian North in particular, underscores the importance of territories working together.

Territorial premiers discussed a number of issues at the forum including:
• circumpolar issues
• health promotion and sustainability
• northern housing
• policing in the North; and
• northern infrastructure

Circumpolar issues played a central role at the forum when premiers met with the Canadian Permanent Participant representatives to talk about the upcoming Arctic Council Ministerial meeting on May 12th in Nuuk, Greenland.
Premiers also discussed their common territorial interests in the work of the Arctic Council and agreed to work together with the federal government to ensure Canada’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which begins in 2013, is productive and reflects the interests of northerners.

This year’s forum will be the last to include the participation of Canada’s longest currently serving Premier and NPF co-founder, Hon. Dennis Fentie.

“On behalf of Premier Aariak, I would like to acknowledge the contribution, guidance and commitment that Premier Fentie has provided to this Forum and through it to advancing the issues and interests of Canada’s North and its people at the national level,” Premier Roland said.
The next Northern Premiers’ Forum will be hosted in Nunavut in 2012.

To find documents online, visit www.anorthernvision.ca

For more information, contact:

Drew Williams
Press Secretary’s Office
Premier and Executive Council
867-669-2304

Emily Younker
Office of the Premier/Cabinet Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories Government of Yukon
Phone: 867- 669-2302 867-633-7961

Emily Woods
Communications Officer
Government of Nunavut
867-975-5050