Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, December 12, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Ministers from around Canada's North gathered in Ottawa in recent weeks to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the region is facing.

Global warming was high on the agenda, said Bob McLeod, minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, particularly the effect it's having on vital Northern infrastructure.

Bob McLeod: "With climate change and global warming, you can see much more inconsistency with whether we can build an ice road (across the Mackenzie)."

"Discussion was primarily on the ice roads," he said. "It just highlights that when it comes to adaptation to climate change, it's not as easy as just changing our habits; there will definitely be a need to address infrastructure."McLeod said the NWT is already facing shortening ice road seasons, and may have to examine how it manages ice across the Mackenzie River.

"With climate change and global warming, you can see much more inconsistency with whether we can build an ice road (across the Mackenzie)," he said.

During a wrap-up press teleconference, Rod Bruinooge, an MP from Winnipeg and parliamentary secretary to Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, said the conference was a learning experience for all involved.

"(The conference) highlighted how all the governments see how the North is one of the biggest opportunities facing Canada," he said.

McLeod said it was important to hear Northern ministers' concerns this time around, as next year, the NWT will hold the conference.

Based on conversations at the conference, McLeod said next year's theme will centre on Northern tourism.

"The most important thing we accomplish here is developing the tourism potential for the North," he said.

With nearly $300 billion in investment coming into Canada in the next five years, McLeod said it was important to take the reins in the North.

During the second session of the 16th legislative assembly, Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley questioned McLeod on what aim the conference took on climate change.

"Was it recognized that building infrastructure is an important opportunity to also mitigate climate change?" the Ecology North founder asked, "That is, reduce the causes of climate change at the same time as adapting to it."

McLeod said discussion had gone that route, and that he was working with Michael Miltenberger, minister of Environment and Natural Resources, to see how the new government can deal with climate change.