Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #05-097
April 18, 2005
2005 Northern Premiers' Forum
YELLOWKNIFE, April 16, 2005 - Northern Premiers met today for the third annual Northern Premiers' Forum to discuss issues under this year's theme of "Working Together for Shared Success". They addressed wide-ranging topics of importance to Northerners and reviewed progress and accomplishments achieved since signing the Northern Cooperation Accord in September 2003.
Northern Strategy
Premiers reiterated that a strong North is in the best economic, social and security interests of Canada and all Canadians. It is time for Northerners to benefit from the development of northern resources and exercise responsibility and decision-making respecting their development.
Premiers reaffirmed their position that the Northern Strategy is about building a new and enduring relationship with Canada. Premiers view the Northern Strategy as a first step to ensure a sustained focus on the North.
The Northern Strategy will include a pan-territorial chapter that provides an important opportunity for northern Premiers to advance their common goals and objectives with Canada. Premiers agreed to advance the following proposed pan-territorial priorities for 2005/06 and will seek federal and broad northern support for these initiatives:
Strengthen governance, partnerships and institutions, by working with Canada to conclude devolution and resource revenue-sharing agreements, to complete outstanding lands, resources and self-government negotiations, to ensure the spirit and intent of all existing land claims are met, and to complete the Expert Panel Review of Territorial Formula Financing.
Building a healthy and sustainable "North", by collaborating and committing to long-term, sustainable investments in pan-territorial healthy living initiatives, and other health promotion and prevention activities, by creating a virtual Northern Health Centre of Excellence, developing a strategy for a skilled northern workforce and finding ways for supporting our youth.
Building capacity in housing and infrastructure, by developing and implementing a northern housing strategy and by creating a northern infrastructure fund.
Following discussions with their northern partners, Premiers will finalize with Canada the Northern Strategy, including the necessary funds to implement the strategy.
Sovereignty and Security in the North
Premiers released a discussion paper entitled Developing a New Framework for Sovereignty and Security in the North to facilitate a dialogue with Canada on the important topic of Arctic Sovereignty and Security. The paper outlines key shared territorial objectives including:
1) Building northern capacity to enhance Canada's ability to assert its sovereignty in the Arctic.
2) Protecting the northern environment: adapting to the impacts of climate change and globalization and providing a northern-based capacity to prevent, detect and respond to emergencies and natural disasters.
3) Ensuring maximum benefits to Northerners from private and public investments.
Premiers emphasized the importance of policies that support strong and sustainable northern communities as fundamental to maintaining Canada's sovereignty.
2005 Diplomatic Forum
Premiers Handley and Okalik have accepted Premier Fentie's invitation to co-host a "Northern Day" at the upcoming Diplomatic Forum and to work collaboratively on promoting the interests of the North.
Nearly 200 senior foreign diplomats, known as Heads of Missions, will be meeting in Whitehorse from June 14 to 16, 2005 for the Diplomatic Forum. Holding the Diplomatic Forum in the North provides an opportunity to promote Canada's northern regions to foreign audiences.
Canada Winter Games Marketing
Premiers have agreed to embark on a major pan-territorial marketing campaign for the 2007 Canada Winter Games that will showcase the North's rich cultures and communities, economic opportunities and potential. Premiers called on the federal government to invest in this joint initiative.
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Attachment: Photograph: Northern premiers conclude a productive meeting in Yellowknife last Saturday with a news conference.
Contact:
| Samantha McCulloch | Nino Wischnewski | Megan Monroe | ||
| Government of Yukon | Government of Nunavut | Government of the NWT | ||
| (867) 667-5341 | (867) 975-6001 | (867) 669-2302 |
