Minister of Industry Tourism and Investment Caroline Wawzonek joined her colleagues Hon. Ranj Pillai (Yukon) and Hon. David Akeeagok (Nunavut) on the PDAC International stage Tuesday for a discussion about mineral development in Canada’s North.
Titled The Northern Advantage, the Ministers of Mining panel was facilitated by group publisher of the Northern Miner, Anthony Vaccaro. The discussion centered on the key aspects of the mineral investment case for Canada’s three most northerly territories.
“North of 60 is really the next place to be in the future of investment,” Minister Wawzonek stated.
“For a lot of us up North, we know, very well, the tremendous opportunity that we are surrounded by. We see it all around us - geological opportunity and human opportunity. Those that are already here are seeing tremendous returns on their investments… but there is so much more here that people haven’t heard about.”
Photo: ITI Minister Caroline Wawzonek joined her colleagues Hon. Ranj Pillai (Yukon) and Hon. David Akeeagok (Nunavut) on the PDAC International virtual stage
All three Ministers spoke of the need for infrastructure investment and to advance projects like the Slave Geological Province road which will connect the NWT and Nunavut and the planned fiber line from Dawson Creek to the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic line.
By far, the common theme was partnerships – the history of Northern partnerships and the need for more.
“I think this is one of the biggest single advantages that we have aside from our fantastic geology.” Wawzonek said. “It’s really one of the things that makes us (North of 60) unique.”
“There are very strong indigenous governments across the North and in the NWT who themselves are looking for opportunity. They want equity opportunities and equity participation; they want to be involved.
They want to support companies that are coming in and looking for opportunities; to explore and develop mineral resource sector projects. Having that – and knowing that there is that drive and that hunger is a real advantage.
Tuesday’s panel discussion was presented under the Invest Canada’s North banner – a marketing brand and platform developed by the federal government in partnership with the territories to leverage the PDAC event and increase awareness to the mineral and development potential of Canada’s North collectively.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is a sponsor on behalf of the GNWT. The Department’s participation at PDAC and other mineral development shows supports the GNWT Mandate to Increase Resource Exploration and Development.