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HAY RIVER
Prime Minister Stephen Harper touched down in Hay River on Monday and announced the federal government's support for mining-industry specific training the following day.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper came to Hay River along with his wife Laureen Harper to announce new money for mining-industry specific training. The Mine Training Society, in conjunction with Aurora College, will deliver part of the Mining The Future project in Hay River. - Jason Ransom/PMO photo

"We want to make sure we open the doors to the great treasure (in the territory) for Northerners and to see it benefit all people in the North," he told an audience gathered on the arena ice surface at the Don Stewart Recreation Centre.

Harper said his government specifically wants to encourage aboriginal communities, with their young and growing populations often located close to mine sites, to seek training for industry jobs.

"The mining sector is already the biggest private employer in the territory," he said, adding that in order to benefit from the opportunities in the industry, aboriginal people must have greater access to education and trades training.

"I am delighted to announce our government will make a significant investment in the Mine Training Society's Mining the Future project," he said.

Part of that training - the underground mining program - is set to be delivered in Hay River starting next month.

In response to a question about environmental protection efforts in light of increased resource development in the Northwest Territories, Harper said the federal government remains committed to proper environmental assessment processes to prevent future reclamation fiascos.

"We want to avoid the kind of thing we're dealing with at Giant Mine," he said, going on to explain how his government is balancing the assessment processes with purely environmental initiatives such as creating more protected park areas.

But the announcement clearly focused on the economic opportunities and jobs created by the mining sector, particularly for aboriginal communities.

In response to a suggestion that the benefits of increased resource development would "trickle down," Harper said he took umbrage with that term.

"This is direct support for aboriginal people in this territory," he said. "It's putting them directly into jobs that will improve their lives."

As for his visit to Hay River, the prime minister said he and his wife Laureen are always pleased to be in the North, made evident by his returning for the eighth year running.

"It's our first time in Hay River, the hub of the North," he said. "It's great to be here."

Mayor Andrew Cassidy was in attendance for the announcement - along with approximately 200 other people from Hay River and across the South Slave - and said it was "awesome news."

"We're competing globally for skilled labour and having more training located in the North will hopefully reduce the number of workers we have to bring in," he said.

But not everyone was pleased to see the first sitting Canadian prime minister to ever visit Hay River.

Idle No More demonstrators gathered in front of the Hay River Cemetery to greet Harper as his cavalcade moved from the airport into New Town on Monday.

Beatrice Lepine, co-organizer of the demonstration, said she is pleased the gathering had ended up being what she predicted - mainly, a group of grannies.

"I want to say, first, he's our prime minister," she said. "He represents us and our governments. It's very much a joyful celebration, but as a citizen, I have the right to stand on the side of the road and protest."

The demonstration comes after a period of relative quiet from the local contingent of Idle No More supporters. However, Lepine wants that trend to change.

"We thought this was going to be a kind of sovereignty summer," she said. "But nothing is happening. We want to remind (Harper) the movement is still alive."

The demonstrators mostly called for increased environmental protection for land and water and carried signs proclaiming that Northerners are the ones who know what's best for their own land.

At the event the following day, the prime minister seemed to agree.

"We need to work to preserve this precious place for the people of the territories," Harper said. "But also for all Canadians."

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