$500
MILLION MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT SOCIO-ECONOMIC FUND
EDMONTON,
July 18, 2005 — The
Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and
representatives of the Gwich'in, Kahsho Got'ine, Inuvialuit, Tulita/Deline
and Deh Cho, announced today that they have reached an agreement on a
framework that will address many of the socio-economic concerns associated
with the Mackenzie Gas Project.
The
Government of Canada is prepared to provide $500 million over the next ten
years to create a fund to address socio-economic impacts on communities
related to the planning and construction of the Mackenzie Gas Project.
Contributions to the fund will depend on project milestones being met.
Parties have agreed to work together to resolve outstanding technical
issues related to the fund.
All
participants at the meeting agreed that this announcement represents an
important step in the collective effort to move the Mackenzie Gas Project
forward, and acknowledged that all parties involved in the project must
continue to work in good faith in order to resolve outstanding issues,
including completion of access and benefits agreements.
