NNSL (Jun 02/99) - The leaders of Canada's Northern territories want to explore joint approaches to issues that affect their jurisdictions.

The three territories have a number of interests, conditions and priorities in common that, through collaborative action, could further the interests of Northern residents while building on federal and provincial relations.

"We were very pleased to take this first step in meeting together to identify issues of concern to Northern people," Mr. Antoine said. "We are committed to finding common ground so we can move forward on the issue our territories share."

Premiers Jim Antoine of the NWT and Paul Okalik of Nunavut met briefly with Yukon Government Leader Piers McDonald during the Western Premiers' Conference in Drumheller to exchange preliminary thoughts on a pan-territorial co-operation agreement.

The leaders agreed to meet in Iqaluit in early August to conclude a formal co-operation agreement on common priority areas. These include: Northern regional economic development, federal-territorial funding and the transfer of federal-territorial funding and the transfer of federal powers to the territories.

Other possible areas for collaboration include trade and trade missions as well as Arctic council and circumpolar initiatives and priorities.

"Each of our jurisdictions has unique needs and aspirations," Mr. MacDonald said. "At the same time, there are many areas where joint action may provide the best solution to the common challenges we face as Northerners."

Officials from the three jurisdictions were directed to identify options for co-operation action before the leaders meet again in August.

"Working together to address our mutual interests will allow us to pool our resources," Mr. Okalik said. "I look forward to hosting my Northern colleagues in Nunavut in August."