Northern Premiers Meet in Yk
The Premiers of Canada’s three Northern territories ended the summer with a meeting in Yellowknife where they discussed ensuring Northerners have increasing opportunities including good jobs close to home in sustainable communities.
The three men spoke at length about Indigenous cooperation and their support for reconciliation and partnership.
“As the leaders of three territories that share in a unified vision for the North, our meetings today have provided us an opportunity to discuss how we can move forward to create the North our residents deserve,” said NWT Premier Bob McLeod. “It’s no secret the North is facing critical challenges. We need a plan with clear priorities and objectives that will help move us towards a stronger economy and good jobs for our people. My colleagues and I share this goal. Today, we discussed how our governments can work to achieve this.”
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver said the meetings in Yellowknife focused on a joint vision for the North, managing resources, strengthening and diversifying the economy and the relationship with the federal government.
“It is important to work with and learn from our neighbours as the three territories face unique, yet similar challenges,” he said. “Together we can build thriving communities recognizing Northern needs, interests and solutions.”
The Northern Premiers’ Forum generally occurs on a yearly basis and Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna confirmed that the 2018 session would be hosted by his territory. He won’t be taking part however as he didn’t run for re-election in the recent territorial election.
The meeting covered several topics including: Dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Strengthening Relationships with Indigenous People; Climate Change; Carbon Pricing; Infrastructure; Arctic Policy Framework; and, Managing our Resources.
“Carbon pricing, Canada’s Arctic Policy Framework, and the need for infrastructure investment are some of the key areas we focused on today,” said McLeod. “We have also had the opportunity to address our concerns surrounding our current relationship with the federal government and the actions needed to ensure they understand and prioritize the issues that are facing Northerners today.”
The federal government continues to make plans and decisions that will have long-term implications for the North’s people and economy, including significant decisions in the areas of resource development, environmental regulation, and Indigenous relations, the three said.
“The recent announcement regarding the dissolution of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada is an opportunity for an improved relationship with Indigenous people and Northerners,” added McLeod. “This reorganization is an opportunity to honour the intent of devolution agreements, move decision-making into the hands of Northern governments from the new department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, and the ultimate dissolution of the Northern Affairs program.”
He pointed at another recent federal action that he could not support.
“The moratorium in offshore exploration in the Beaufort Sea which was announced earlier this year was done so without consultation and has already had major impacts on our economy and on our communities,” said McLeod. “Northerners cannot achieve economic self-determination, a key pillar of reconciliation, just with jobs in tourism and fisheries.”
