NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The NWT Chamber of Commerce is joining the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines in panning the territory's draft Conservation Action Plan.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is proposing that as much as 40 per cent of land in the territory be set aside for conservation.

In a news release, NWT Chamber of Commerce president Kevin Diebold said the move is sending the wrong signals and creating more uncertainty at a time when the territory is already struggling to attract resource investment.

"We're already dead last in the country as a resource investment destination. When are we going to end the absurdity of shutting out investment and begin building some prosperity?" stated Diebold.

"While the NWT continuously ranks high in its geological potential, it continues to lose in attractiveness because of such factors as onerous regulations, unsettled land claims and uncertainty over land access," states the news release elsewhere.

In taking this stance, the NWT Chamber of Commerce is joining the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines in opposing the draft.

"We believe that if this initiative is allowed to proceed unchecked, it will seriously damage the NWT's already struggling minerals industry," stated NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines president Brooke Clements in a letter addressed to Premier Bob McLeod dated Sept. 11.

Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay responded at a NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines luncheon in Yellowknife on Sept. 18.

Ramsay said he had been in discussions with Environment Minister Michael Miltenberger after Clements expressed concern.

"(Miltenberger) has confirmed his department will continue to take feedback on this draft document until Oct. 19 with further decisions to be made by the next government," Ramsay said.

"Resource development continues to be the very heart of our economy here in the Northwest Territories and we are going take our time."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.