October/November 2009

Strategic development of infrastructure in the North is a much discussed topic these days. But as with any government funded program for economic growth and social development, deciding on the best way to allocate scarce financial resources is never easy nor are the solutions ever ones that will please all constituents and stakeholders.

This will become an ever increasing debate in the coming months as the North begins to welcome the members of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), headquartered in Iqaluit, Nunavut (with offices in Yellowknife and Inuvik). This initiative will be watched not just by northerners, but by the country as a whole. It seems the North is very in vogue these days and, as Prime Minister Harper pointed out in his announcement of CanNor, the North "holds the potential to be a transformative economic asset for the country. With immense deposits of valuable natural resources and with a talented, energetic and youthful population, the North's importance has never been greater, even during this time of global economic recession."

CanNor's mandate is to consolidate Northern economic development programs, bolster economic growth in Aboriginal communities, select and coordinate critical infrastructure projects, and help the region's communities adjust to changing economic and environmental conditions.

Given CanNor's recent formation and its objectives, it seems very timely to have the opportunity to wade in on the topic of what is the ideal infrastructure development plan for the North. And what better forum for this purpose than the 1st Annual Strategic Northern Infrastructure Symposium to be held in Yellowknife on October 14th and 15th hosted by the Northern Strategy Group. Canadian North is proud to be a Diamond Sponsor of this premier event. As a key player in the economic development of the North we are keenly interested in meaningful participation in the decision-making relating to the expansion of our northern infrastructure. Therefore, we invite you to join the many and varied cast of speakers and delegates to this important symposium and trust that the ideas shared will be to our collective benefit.

Travel well.
Tracy Medve
President, Canadian North

President's Message Archives

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