Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #05-098
April 18, 2005
Pan-Northern Approach Pays Off For The Territories
WHITEHORSE A collaborative approach to issues affecting the North has resulted in millions of dollars for the three northern territories.
Since signing the Northern Accord in Cambridge Bay in 2003, northern premiers have garnered a total of over $780 million in new funding to the North. The premiers have met three times under the accord; most recently in Yellowknife last Saturday.
"Working as a collective, the pan-northern approach has paid-off for the Yukon," Premier Dennis Fentie stated. "There is strength in unity of purpose, and we’ve proven that success lies in the same direction – through working together."
Premiers have brought the North to the forefront of the national agenda by standing together on key initiatives such as the Northern Strategy, economic development funding and health funding.
Examples of funding acquired since 2003:
- $210-million increase in health funding
- $360-million increase in territorial formula financing
- $90 million in economic development funding
- $120 million through the Northern Strategy
"We've agreed to develop an economic strategy to explore retaining the maximum benefits for northerners," Fentie said. "We want to reduce the outflow and increase the inflow of opportunities for the three territories. For example, we will address issues like training and retaining a skilled labour force to increase job prospects for northerners."
Also released at Saturdays meeting and flowing from the 2003 Northern Accord was the discussion paper Developing a New Framework for Sovereignty and Security in the North.
Building northern capacity to enhance Canada's ability to assert its sovereignty in the Arctic, protecting the northern environment and ensuring maximum benefits to Northerners from private and public investments are the three shared objectives of this research paper.
The paper will be sent to Prime Minister Paul Martin, outlining the shifting foundation for past and present government activity, new global pressures, and resulting challenges affecting sovereignty and security.
"Sovereignty and security can be summed up quite easily," Fentie added. "It's about sustainable northern communities. We want a healthy, self-sufficient, stable and secure North."
The northern premiers will meet again with their western colleagues May 4 – 6 at the 2005 Western Premiers’ Conference in Lloydminster, Alberta.
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Attachment: Developing a New Framework for Sovereignty and Security in the North
| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Samantha McCulloch |
| Cabinet Communications Advisor | Communications Analyst |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 667-5341 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | srmccull@gov.yk.ca |