Leaders congratulate Alberta premier-elect
Bevington, Erasmus point out that environmental concerns in northern Alberta are also concerns in NWT
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The NDP's resounding win in Alberta's provincial election last Tuesday should be a good thing for Northerners according to NWT MP Dennis Bevington. The New Democrat rose in the House of Commons yesterday to congratulate Premier-designate Rachel Notley and her NDP caucus for ending 44 straight years of Progressive Conservative rule.
Dennis Bevington: MP for the NWT, said the new NDP government in Alberta may mean better environmental laws, particularly in the province's North where rivers flow into the NWT. - NNSL file photo
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"Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories to congratulate Rachel Notley and the NDP on their election victory as a strong, stable, majority government for Alberta. The people of the NWT have a special relationship with Albertans. We regularly travel, trade, play and work in Alberta. Edmonton is our city for medical services, post-secondary education and all manner of supply and services. The NWT and Alberta share an ecosystem ... included in the Mackenzie River watershed," said Bevington.
"Northerners will look forward to working with this new, exciting government. I'm sure she will continue the productive relationship between Alberta and the NWT."
The NWT is connected to Alberta as we are to no other province, Bevington said.
"I feel that some of the issues with Alberta that we've always had trouble on, like the environment, now we have an opportunity for change," Bevington said. "If we see improvements in environmental standards in Alberta those will translate into better environmental standards downstream (in the NWT).
In a statement, NWT Premier Bob McLeod also congratulated Notley.
"The Northwest Territories and Alberta share many close ties and common interests," said McLeod. "Ms. Notley's interest in sustainable growth and economic diversification aligns with our own and I look forward to working with her to advance the shared interests of Albertans and NWT residents."
McLeod also thanked outgoing Premier Jim Prentice for his work with the NWT including the recent signing of a trans-boundary water management agreement.
Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus also congratulated Notley on her win but pointed out that "Alberta's environmental concerns are the NWT's as well. Alberta is a huge energy producer, (and) our major concern is with its tar sands sector where bitumen processes affect us downstream as toxic contaminants flow through the Athabasca River," Erasmus stated in an e-mail.
He added that there needs to be a progressive dialogue between the First Nations, provincial and federal governments on stabilizing Canada's economy.
