WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg is hosting a roundtable on sustainable northern development today that will include members of government, industry and northern communities from multiple locations — Winnipeg, the Pas, Churchill and other Canadian locales — all connected by video link via Cisco technology.
Discussion generated at the roundtable will be shared with the Government of Manitoba to help shape the direction of its Northern development planning process (Opportunities North), which was announced in the 2013 provincial budget.
This roundtable is part of a series of discussions organized by UWinnipeg’s Northern Sustainable Prosperity Initiative (NSPI) and builds on the outcomes of the Arctic Gateway Summit co-hosted by UWinnipeg and the Province of Manitoba in November 2010. Canada’s Arctic region offers significant potential as a gateway for international trade and sustainable prosperity as long as the Port of Churchill remains viable.
“All Manitobans benefit when government and industry partner with northern and aboriginal communities to create jobs and economic opportunities,” said Eric Robinson, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. “Through our Opportunities North initiative and roundtables like this, we are all working together to move Northern Manitoba’s economy forward in a sustainable way.”
“This roundtable will highlight models and best practices of Northern development through key presentations and dialogue with Northern community representatives,” expressed Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President of the University of Winnipeg. “We look forward to the sharing of ideas and expertise among speakers and participants, including those from Indigenous communities in Canada’s North and our keynote speaker: Justice Thomas Berger. It’s especially exciting that we are able to bring together participants from Northern communities using advanced Cisco technology.”
In addition to Justice Thomas Burger speakers will include:
• Dan Gagnier – Chair, International Institute for Sustainable Development; Former Chief of Staff – Premier of Quebec
• Glenn Nolan – President, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada; Vice President Aboriginal Affairs, Noront Resources
• Ruth Massie – Grand Chief, Council of Yukon First Nations
• Tim Johnston – Mayor, City of Thompson; Manager, Community Futures North Central Development
• Al Benoit – Senior Advisor, Manitoba Métis Federation.
Due to its significant teaching and research expertise in a variety of related areas, including indigenous governance, development practice, emerging international markets, Arctic security, environmental management and sustainable communities, UWinnipeg is ideally positioned for a lead role in activities that contribute to the sustainable future of Canada’s north.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Kovalik – Plouffe, Coordinator, Northern Sustainable Prosperity Initiative
The University of Winnipeg, P: 204.955.5022, E: je.kovalik-plouffe@uwinnipeg.ca
