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Glen Koropchuk, chief operating officer of De Beers Canada, left, signs a socio-economic agreement alongside Industry, Tourism, and Investment Minister David Ramsay, Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty and Health and Social Services Minister Tom Beaulieu. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Representatives from the territorial government and De Beers Canada met at the legislative assembly on Friday to kick the Canada Day long weekend off with some hand-shaking and signatures.

Representatives from both parties signed a socio-economic agreement, laying out De Beers Canada's commitments to employment, training, business opportunities and other benefits for the NWT should the Gahcho Kue Mine be approved.

"I think it's significant that we are signing the agreement today at the start of the Canada Day long weekend," said Tony Guthrie, chief executive officer of De Beers Canada. "It's an important milestone in the development of Gahcho Kue Mine, which we believe is a tremendous opportunity for Canada."

"Partnering with companies who share our vision of a prosperous NWT is critical to achieving the future we've envisioned," said Premier Bob McLeod, who welcomed De Beers' continued role in the territory.

In the agreement, De Beers sets a goal of NWT employment, including contractors, at 35 per cent during construction of Gahcho Kue, 55 per cent during operations, and 55 per cent during closure.

The agreement will be monitored through adaptive management, where De Beers and the GNWT will be jointly responsible for different aspects of reporting.

The GNWT will report on socio-economic impacts of the Gahcho Kue Mine, and De Beers Canada will report on its performance regarding its commitments.

Once per year, the GNWT and De Beers will meet with representatives from aboriginal groups and communities at a location near Gahcho Kue to hear formal concerns or recommendations. The GNWT and De Beers will then have 90 days to respond.

Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay said the information would be made public in the project's socio-economic annual report.

Glen Koropchuk, chief operating officer for De Beers Canada, said, "ongoing, transparent reporting is the cornerstone of this agreement."

"De Beers Canada is not a new entity," said Ramsay. "The fact that we are familiar with each other is obviously going to give us some comfort."

Gahcho Kue is currently in the final stages of review with the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, whose final report is expected in the coming weeks.

The report will be submitted to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada for final approval.

Socio-economic agreement highlights

• Incentives to NWT employees and residents include priority hiring, relocation benefits, and priority for northern businesses in procurement.
• Establishment of a trades training, apprenticeship, and professional training sponsorship program, with at least 30 positions allocated for NWT residents.
• Run financial management and literacy training and collaborate in cultural awareness programs.
• Pick-up points in all five regional centres, as well as Tlicho and Akaitcho communities, to increase NWT residents' access to employment at the site.
• Adaptive management, which involves joint reporting with De Beers and the GNWT.
• Meet annually with GWNT, aboriginal groups, and community representatives near the mine site to hear concerns and recommendations. De Beers and the GNWT will respond within 90 days to issues raised.

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