April 29, 2005
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Below you will find information which may be of interest to you. This service is being offered by Permafrost Media in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. If you do not want to be included in our service, please respond to this email and your name will be removed from our list.
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AM Crossman
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Ministerial Statement – Statement by the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development) on the Government of Canada’s involvement in the Mackenzie Gas Project
OTTAWA, April 29 /CNW Telbec/ – The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the Mackenzie Gas Project to Northerners and all Canadians. We share the commitment confirmed by industry to moving ahead.
We are determined to continue working with the project partners to ensure a thorough and fair review of the proposal through the Joint Review Panel and National Energy Board. We are encouraged by the commitment demonstrated by our partners on the environmental assessment and regulatory review process and we will work in a timely fashion and ensure due diligence on environmental issues is maintained.
Given the strong federal commitment to the pipeline, the Government of Canada has dedicated significant resources to the project.
Many of the initiatives now under way have been focused on providing assistance to Aboriginal communities, through funding to prepare for and participate in environmental and regulatory review processes, through skills training, and through support to the creation of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group. We have also provided funding for Aboriginal groups to prepare for and negotiate land access and benefits agreements. These negotiations are complex, but the parties need to work together to get the details right arriving at fair agreements which are appropriate and balance the interests of everyone involved.
The Government of Canada will continue to engage with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Aboriginal groups, the proponents and other stakeholders. Our objective is to ensure that Aboriginal and Northern communities receive long-term benefits from environmentally-sound northern gas and pipeline development and to facilitate the earliest possible flow of Mackenzie gas to markets.
For further information: Pierre Collin, Special Assistant,
Communications, Minister of State Blondin-Andrew’s Office, (819) 994-7626
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Tags: Ethel Blondin-Andrew
