Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation for the Coordination and Management of Major Projects in the Northwest Territories

Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Department of Executive, Government of the Northwest Territories with respect to Cooperation for the Coordination and Management of Major Projects in the Northwest Territories

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is between:

THE CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, as represented by the President of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor); and

THE DEPARTMENT OF EXECUTIVE, as represented by the Secretary to Cabinet;

(collectively the "Parties")

WHEREAS,

1. The Parties recognize the opportunity for resource development and regional infrastructure projects (‘projects') to promote economic prosperity for the people and communities in the Northwest Territories; and
2. The Parties recognize the importance of establishing a cooperative working relationship on projects in the Northwest Territories.

NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree to the following understandings:

1.0 Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this MOU is to confirm the Parties' mutual interest in:

• supporting responsible resource and regional infrastructure development in the Northwest Territories through cooperation and respectful engagement;
• working collaboratively to facilitate the effective and transparent environmental assessment/impact review and regulatory permitting of projects; and
• optimizing opportunities to advance economic development for the people and communities in the Northwest Territories in relation to projects to the extent possible within the respective mandates of the Parties.

1.2 This MOU is intended to be a statement of mutual understanding and cooperation and is not a legally binding contract.  Nothing in this MOU shall limit or fetter, or diminish the statutory authorities, discretionary powers and functions, or the rights and interests of any Party. 

1.3 For the purposes of this MOU, a ‘project' shall mean any resource development or regional infrastructure project:

1. In the Inuvialuit Settlement Region within the Northwest Territories, a public review by the Inuvialuit Environmental Impact Review Board and/or a joint panel review under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) and/or a comprehensive study or panel review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; and
2. In the Mackenzie Valley within the Northwest Territories, an environmental assessment by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board ('MVEIRB') or an environmental impact review by a panel of the MVEIRB or a joint panel review, pursuant to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

2.0 Roles and Responsibilities of the Parties

2.1 For the purposes of this MOU, the Parties recognize that:

1. CanNor and its Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO) was created to advance economic development in the North and coordinate the Government of Canada's engagement in the environmental assessment/impact review and regulatory permitting or projects in Canada's northern territories, as well as to foster economic development in relation to these projects;
2. The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources is a responsible minister under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA) for specific projects; and
3. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, in partnership with others, provides quality programs and services to promote and support Northwest Territories economic prosperity and community self-reliance.

2.2 The Parties will each endeavor to seek the input of other departments within their respective jurisdictions where appropriate.

3.0 Mutual Understandings

3.1 The Parties recognize the importance of resource development and regional infrastructure projects to the economic prosperity of the people and communities in the Northwest Territories, and as part of their respective mandates will seek to advance positive economic outcomes in relation to those projects and, as appropriate, identify opportunities for aligning and coordinating efforts to assess and mitigate the socio-economic impacts of those projects.

3.2 The Parties affirm the importance of working cooperatively to facilitate effective and transparent environmental assessment/impact review and regulatory permitting of resource development and regional infrastructure projects in the Northwest Territories.

3.3 The NPMO will lead the development of a collaborative framework, based on an agreed to terms of reference, under which the Parties can advance coordination of respective efforts relating to projects in the Northwest Territories. The framework will build upon the goals of current Government of Canada and Government of Northwest Territories strategies related to those issues identified in 1.1 of this MOU. The framework would also seek to coordinate efforts in relation to environmental assessment/impact review and regulatory permitting and develop strategies to advance positive economic outcomes in relation to projects.

3.4 The Parties acknowledge the Northwest Territories Project Committee, led by NPMO, as a forum in which the Parties (along with additional parties) may participate in from time to time to discuss coordination and collaborative engagement for projects in the regulatory system in the Northwest Territories.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this MOU has been signed by duly authorized representatives of the Parties effective this 27th day of June, 2013.

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE CANADIAN NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
as represented by:

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EXECUTIVE
as represented by: