News Releases > Northern Business Leaders Stand Together

March 8, 2005

Canada’s Northern Chambers of Commerce are united in their positions on northern development. The three northern chambers of commerce see many opportunities and challenges to economic development in the North and have been working together to identify areas of common interest and concern on economic issues. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by the Iqaluit, NWT and Yukon Chambers of Commerce to reflect their commitment of cooperation on northern economic and business issues.

“With the flow of millions of dollars coming to the north through the Northern Strategy Framework, it is imperative that the needs of business are brought to the table and incorporated in the Strategy,” said NWT Chamber of Commerce Mark Walker. “We felt the best way to achieve that was by presenting a unified approach from all three territories – the voice of business for Canada’s North.”

The MOU identifies two priority areas the three Northern Chambers all agree are of huge importance to economic development in the North. “If the North is to realize its potential, adequate infrastructure and clear and reasonable regulatory regimes are critical to economic development and growth in the North” said Yukon Chamber of Commerce Chair, Rob Harvey. We believe the Northern Strategy is an excellent forum to address these issues.

Industry consistently reports that lack of infrastructure and complex regulatory regimes make the cost of doing business in the North too high. “We need to address that,” said Glenn Cousins, President of the Iqaluit Chamber of Commerce. “All three Territories have inadequate infrastructure to support economic growth. This is a common issue across the North, with each territory facing very specific needs unique to its region.”

The US Senate's Energy Committee still has to develop ANWR related legislation for the Senate budget reconciliation process, so it is not a done deal.

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