September 26, 2001

CHURCHILL, Man.--To emphasize the important role the North will continue to play in the future of the province and to highlight the government’s commitment to Northern Manitoba communities, Premier Gary Doer today unveiled the province's new Northern Development Strategy (NDS).

"For far too long, the views of northerners have been ignored when it came to the development of Northern Manitoba," said Doer. "The NDS is a long-term development plan designed to identify opportunities to develop the human and natural resources of the North. It is based on the views of northerners and will encourage social and economic development that will benefit the North."

The NDS was initiated at a meeting of northern MLAs in April 2000 and is based on numerous reports and consultations including the Northern Mayors and Chiefs Conference and the Report of the Northern Manitoba Economic Development Commission.

"There have been many studies and reports that have examined the future potential of Northern Manitoba," said Doer. "This strategy builds upon these consultations and allows us to get right down to business at improving the life of northerners."

Doer said that the benefits of the NDS will be improving the quality of life for northern Manitobans, expanding education and employment opportunities, increasing economic opportunities, and co-ordinating approaches to services and investment in Northern Manitoba.

As part of the strategy, five priority areas have been identified:

• Housing--partnerships to improve housing
• Health--improved health services and information
• Transportation--improved roads and airports
• Employment and Training--improved opportunities for education and training
• Economic Development--public and private investment

An important component of the NDS is that, for the first time, government departments will be required to co-ordinate their efforts to meet the objectives of the NDS and to make northern development a priority in their everyday decision making.

Under the initiative, the province will work with northern and Aboriginal communities, non-government organizations, the private sector and the federal government to build on existing strengths and to address the distinctive needs and priorities of northern people.

In the upcoming weeks, the province will begin discussions to strengthen co-operation with the federal government on development initiatives in the North including addressing the challenges of climate change, ensuring a greater commitment for northern housing, enhancing transportation links to northern communities and expanding opportunities for post-secondary education.

Doer indicated that over the last two years progress had already been made in improving the quality of life for northerners including:

• the elimination of the $50 user fee for northern patient transportation;
• lowering northern hydro rates;
• increasing funding to the ACCESS program;
• dredging of the Port of Churchill;
• expanding and enhancing northern transportation including northern highways, winter roads and northern airports;
• bringing Internet access to northern communities; and
• partnering with Aboriginal peoples on initiatives such as child welfare and the future of hydro development.

"The NDS builds upon initiatives already underway to improve the quality of life for northern and Aboriginal people, and will make northerners full partners in creating a strong and sustainable economy," said Doer. "Our goal is to work with northerners to expand education and training opportunities, increase employment opportunities and more effectively co-ordinate approaches to services and investment in Northern Manitoba."

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