FOR RELEASE     #07-096
May 18, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Northwest Territories Premier Joseph Handley and Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie have re-signed the Yukon - Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Relations Accord.  This Accord commits both governments to work together on matters of mutual interest, to share information and to identify areas of joint co-operation.

The premiers renewed the Accord today in the Great Hall of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.  This is the second renewal of the original 1999 accord and covers a four-year period from the date of signing. 

"The Northwest Territories and Yukon governments have found many ways to work together for the benefit of citizens in both territories," Handley said.  "I look forward to the opportunities arising from this Accord to further enhance this relationship."

"This Accord continues the strong alliance that we enjoy with our northern neighbours for the benefit of citizens on both sides of our common border," Fentie said.  "Working collaboratively has enabled us to make progress on a number of shared issues."

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Attachment: Yukon - Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Relations Accord

For more information, contact:

  
YUKON – NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS ACCORD

BETWEEN

THE GOVERNMENT OF YUKON
AS REPRESENTED BY THE PREMIER

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
AS REPRESENTED BY THE PREMIER

WHEREAS the citizens of Yukon and the Northwest Territories share many ties including an extensive common border and Aboriginal kinship ties; and

WHEREAS Yukon and the Northwest Territories have a history of cooperation in a range of services, including transportation, tourism and other areas of human and economic development; and

WHEREAS the citizens of Yukon and the Northwest Territories have mutual concerns and interests around the environment, economic development, human development and constitutional/political development; and

WHEREAS there are opportunities to be explored to enhance the relationship between the two governments, to resolve issues and to develop opportunities for the region;

THEREFORE the Governments of Yukon and the Northwest Territories have agreed to the Yukon- Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Relations Accord as outlined below.

INTENT

The intent of this Accord is to promote cooperation leading to concrete benefits for citizens of both territories on matters of joint concern and mutual interest, to share information and promote understanding, to enhance the relationship between the two territories and to identify areas where there can be enhanced formal and informal cooperation.

Without unnecessarily limiting the areas of cooperation, the governments intend to cooperate in areas such as:

• Health care
• Regional economic development
• Climate change
• Tourism
• Infrastructure
• Education and training
• Youth development
• Trade and commerce
• Resource management and environmental issues
• Forest fire management
• Northern sovereignty issues
• Aboriginal languages
• Resource development for northern curricula

This Accord is not a legally binding agreement, but it is only a definite expression and record of the purpose and intention of the Parties, to which each honourably pledge themselves.

COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The Premiers will continue to appoint officials to serve as principal contacts for the expeditious sharing of information about mutual interests and will encourage their respective governments to work together on matters of joint concern, including through working groups designed to address specific issues.

This Accord shall be in effect from its date of signature for a period of four (4) years and may be reviewed and amended by the consent of both governments.

This Accord is signed on this 18th day of May, 2007.