The NWT Council of Leaders can be “the voice of the North,” when it comes to lobbying Ottawa to advance some of the major projects the territory needs to survive, thrive and compete with southern Canada.
On its first group trip to meet with federal officials, Premier RJ Simpson and a host of Indigenous leaders such as Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, Chief Danny Gaudet of the Délı̨nę Got’ınę Government, and Sahtu Secretariat chairperson Charles McNeely, met with members of the federal cabinet and Prime Minister Justice Trudeau to discuss a list of priorities.
Premier RJ Simpson with members of the NWT Council of Leaders at a media conference in Ottawa on Tuesday. (Image courtesy of CPAC)
“I had a good meeting with the Prime Minister about the Mackenzie Valley Highway,” said Premier Simpson, who later side-stepped a media request to list specific results from the trip.
“Indigenous government leaders have come to Ottawa with a clear and united message: The Northwest Territories stands at the crossroads of Canada’s strategic future, and with the right public policy decisions, we are poised to make substantial contributions to Canada’s prosperity and national security.”
The minority Liberal government is in the planning stages for its next budget, which should be out in March or early April.
Chief Gaudet explained to those gathered at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa this morning how the cost of living is shooting up in his region due to low water levels on the Mackenzie River, making life extremely difficult in communities such as Délı̨nę.
He said economic development could help the people of the North move from social dependency to independence.
“We have significant critical minerals in our backyard, so we need to figure out a balance between conservation and also the development of these resources,” he said.
“It’s hard to do when you do it alone. It’s important that we do it together with other Indigenous groups and other governments.”
Grand Chief Lafferty, who coined the term ‘Voice of the North’ at the media event for the council, said the council is seeking support and also solutions for the significant economic and social challenges that affect the daily lives of NWT residents.
“Basic needs such as roads, affordable housing and healthcare remain inadequate across the Northwest Territories, the high cost of living and climate change impacts are very real for our communities, for our families, their ability to make ends meet.
“NWT council of leaders is not just a forum for discussions; it is a catalyst for action. We have come together to Ottawa to ask Canada to invest in our future, to have a lot to offer as a Canadian economy.”
Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government Chief Danny Gaudet at a media conference with the NWT Council of Leaders Tuesday in Ottawa. (Image courtesy of CPAC)
