Northerners Must Manage the North

YELLOWKNIFE (28 May, 2008) – Northerners must be allowed to make decisions concerning their own economic future, Northwest Territories (NWT) Premier Floyd Roland reiterated today.

Responding to calls from the World Wildlife Federation to postpone the proposed June 2, 2008 issuance of four oil and gas leases in the Beaufort Sea, the NWT Premier emphasized his government’s increasing frustration with southern-based, advocacy groups promoting decisions which impact on the lives and economic future of Northerners.“This call by the World Wildlife Federation speaks to the issue of Northern control over Northern resources. A southern-based group cannot be allowed to influence decisions concerning the future of our Northern economy,” said Premier Roland.

$613 million was committed to oil and gas exploration in the NWT last year including record bids brought forward by Imperial Oil and Exxon Mobil to explore offshore in the Beaufort Sea. The Government of the Northwest Territories supports and encourages responsible and managed development of the NWT’s resource sector.

“Investment in oil and gas exploration has enabled residents of the Beaufort Delta to build business capacity and participate fully in our economy,” said Premier Roland.

The Premier pointed to federal regulatory regimes and northern regulatory management systems already in place in the Northwest Territories.

“Northern management regimes and systems balance the critical need for economic opportunity and self reliance with traditional and scientific practices that ensure negative impacts on the environment and wildlife are mitigated,” Premier Roland said. “They provide a process that meaningfully engages Northerners in the decision-making process.”

For more information:

Julia Mott
Cabinet Communications
Office of the Premier
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 669-2304
(867) 445-5669 cell
Julia_mott@gov.nt.ca