September 18, 2017
We’re more than halfway through our engagement roadshow for the new Mineral Resources Act—the Northwest Territories’ first ever homegrown mining legislation.
After covering the capital and heading down to Fort Simpson to hear from the Dehcho, we went north to Norman Wells and Inuvik to hear from folks in the Sahtu and Beaufort Delta.
Let’s take a look back at these sessions.
Norman Wells
The engagement team touched down in Norman Wells September 5 and set up their stations in the Royal Canadian Legion.
Doors opened at 3pm. Nearly 20 people showed up, with folks continuing to stream in until the very end of the session at 8pm.
Almost every single person who attended filled out a survey with questions important to the development of this landmark legislation.
On top of the public session, senior officials from the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) met with officials from the Sahtu Secretariat and Norman Wells Land Corporation to gain their valued input.
Inuvik
Folks in Inuvik braved the rain to head down to the Community Lounge at the Midnight Sun Recreation Centre and have their say on mining and exploration.
People started coming in almost immediately, with some sticking around for almost an hour to have their say.
We heard many different perspectives throughout these conversations. Some were positive; some constructive; all valuable for consideration as we develop the Mineral Resources Act.
In addition to the public session, ITI officials met with partners from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to collect their views on how mining should be governed.
Next up…
We hit the South Slave region to hear from Hay River and Fort Smith. Stay tuned for updates!
Want to have your say, but can’t make it out to the sessions? Visit Engage-ITI.ca/MRA to take part in discussion forums, submit comments, and complete a survey to contribute to a well-governed minerals industry for the NWT. Submissions are open until December 1.