Through Responsible Resource Development, the government is streamlining reviews for major resource projects, while ensuring they are based on sound science and balanced input. Efforts are also underway to develop geological maps of the north to help prospectors to find energy and minerals. Both of these initiatives, coupled with updates to revenue sharing arrangements with the territories, help ensure that more of the economic benefits from natural resource development stay in the North.
Currently there are 24 advanced projects in the North representing $38 billion in potential new investment. If developed, they would directly support an estimated 8,000 full-time jobs, most of which would be filled by northern residents. They would also create thousands more jobs in mining, manufacturing, transportation and other business sectors, in the North and across Canada.