‘Support the Northern minerals industry’ Key Message to Federal Government

5 October 2017

(Yellowknife, NT – October 5, 2017) “It is very important that we all work to sustain and grow the northern minerals industry, and the significant benefits it is providing in northern Canada” was a key message that the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines delivered today to the Federal Standing Committee on Finance, as part of Canada’s pre-budget consultation. Cumulative benefits from NWT diamond mining alone, includes:

  • Over 1,500 trained (almost 6% of NWT’s employed workforce);
  • Over 26,000 person-years of Northern jobs of which 50% are Indigenous;
  • $13 billion plus in Northern business of which $5.6 billion is Indigenous businesses; and
  • $100 million to communities in various benefit agreement payments, scholarships, and donations

In sharing its priorities with the Committee for the 2018 Federal Budget, the Chamber detailed the following key areas that need Ottawa’s action, including:

  • Investing in road and power infrastructure;
  • Enhancing mineral exploration;
  • Building community capacity;
  • Improving the regulatory environment; and
  • Creating a new Arctic Policy with Northerners.

In the detailed presentation, the Chamber provided specific actions the government should address under each of the key areas.

“Resource development generates huge benefits for the North and its residents. We’ve seen enormous results and we still have huge untapped mineral wealth in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut,” said Chamber of Mines President Gary Vivian. “But we cannot do it alone. There is a huge need for the Federal Government to help. Much, if not all our major power, road and rail infrastructure was supported by Ottawa for resource development over 40 years ago. We need their help to meet today’s needs.”

A key Chamber recommendation to the Committee supports the Pan-Territorial Vision for Sustainable Development issued by the three territorial Premiers in September. The Vision speaks to an economic foundation of responsible resource development, leading to self-reliance, through infrastructure investments, and job creation. Most importantly, it reminds Canada that Northerners need to play a strong and inclusive role in the creation of the Arctic Policy.

Links: Chamber of Mines Presentation to Federal Finance Standing Committee – English; French

            Chamber of Mines Speaking Notes delivered to Federal Finance Standing Committee

            Pan-Territorial Vision for Sustainable Development

For more information on the NWT and Nunavut mining industries, visit the Chamber of Mines website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Tom Hoefer, Executive Director at Tel: 867-873-5281 or email: executivedirector@miningnorth.com. 

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