Yellowknife (Aug 14/00) - The Mackenzie Valley pipeline project is attracting the attention of big investors.

Ron Jamieson, senior vice-president of the aboriginal division of the Bank of Montreal, attended a meeting in Fort Simpson on June 30, and spoke highly of the investment potential of the project.

"If they wanted our help we would stand ready to assist," he said in a telephone interview from Toronto. "The project really has the ability to bear fruit."

Jamieson said bringing all aboriginal groups together before they can win the support of investors and be able to build the equity position necessary to reap long-term benefits from the project is essential.

"What I was encouraging aboriginal groups to do was to speak in one voice, in support or not in support," Jamieson said, adding a need for territorial and federal support and co-operation from private-sector companies are also needed.