Post by : Meena Ariff

Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for the Northwest Territories (NWT), emphasized the vital role of the government at the international mining gathering Resourcing Tomorrow in London. With three delegates attending, the total estimated cost for travel and participation is around $21,000.

Minister Cleveland stated that global industry events like this are crucial for establishing direct relationships with potential investors. She highlighted the importance of portraying the Northwest Territories as a stable and lucrative option for international mining firms ready to grow their operations.

Nevertheless, this overseas venture has ignited a blend of political and public scrutiny. Range Lake MLA Kieron Testart posed questions regarding the wisdom of spending public money on overseas investments when the territory continues to lack a definitive and reliable mining regulatory system. He pointed out that investors primarily focus on the ease of conducting business in a region.

Despite the Northwest Territories having passed the Mineral Resources Act in 2019, the associated regulations remain unimplemented, with the government anticipating full enactment by 2027.

Wally Schumann, a former minister of ITI, called for urgent action to attract new investments as the territory's three diamond mines near closure. He stressed the necessity of not just marketing, but also reconciling land claims and aligning Indigenous governments, territorial bodies, municipalities, and local communities around a unified development vision.

Additionally, Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty participated in the conference, advocating for Indigenous leadership, environmental sustainability, and collaborative development models. He conveyed that Indigenous communities aspire to be active contributors in decision-making about their lands, rather than mere observers.

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