Minister Wally Schumann joined federal, provincial, and territorial colleagues in Iqaluit this week as they gathered for the Northern Development Ministers Forum (NDMF) September 11-13.

The theme of discussion was the North’s potential as a “Land of Opportunities,” with the topics of intergovernmental relations, food security and strategic partnerships arising throughout.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has celebrated a number of important milestones in the advancement of intergovernmental relations with NWT Aboriginal governments.

The settlement of land claims and the development of land-use plans with Aboriginal partners and governments serves, in part, to support responsible resource development consistent with the values and priorities of NWT residents.

Discussions surrounding food security addressed the production of fresh, healthy, safe and more affordable locally-grown food choices – a goal that is also driving the GNWT’s development of an Agriculture Strategy for the NWT. 

The GNWT has already funded and supported the establishment of community gardens and or green houses in all of 33 NWT communities.

Minister Schumann offered the following observations on this year’s Northern Development Ministers Forum.

“As highlighted in the theme of this year’s forum, Canada’s North is a land of opportunities. The collaboration and partnership between Canada’s northern development ministers is one of our strongest assets in identifying, pursuing and capitalizing on these opportunities for the benefit of all Northerners.

“This forum was an excellent opportunity to focus on the governance, and to economic development approaches that will best guide our collective paths forward.”