Province of Manitoba » Aboriginal and Northern Affairs » Northern Development Strategy
The Northern Development Strategy (NDS)
Northern Development Strategy Booklet (new item, 8 pages) Northern Development Strategy Brochure (Cree) NOTE: These documents are in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). To view PDF files you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader© installed on your computer. To obtain a free copy click here:  |
Questions & Answers
What is the Northern Development Strategy?
The Northern Development Strategy (NDS) is a long term plan that identifies opportunities to develop the human and natural resources in the North - changes which will benefit the people of the region.
There are many challenges for northern development in Manitoba. Are there specific priorities that are identified under the NDS?
The NDS identifies the following priority areas:
- 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 partnerships
What is the origin of the NDS?
The NDS was initiated by the northern MLAs in April, 2000 and based on previous consultations including the Northern Mayors and Chiefs Conference and the Report of the Northern Manitoba Economic Development Commission.
What is your vision of the future of Northern Manitoba?
The Manitoba Government believes that northern development is an investment that benefits the entire province. The North has always been an important player in the Manitoba economy. However, for some time Northern Manitoba has not had a voice in their future.
Who will the Manitoba Government work with to pursue the NDS?
The Government of Manitoba will work with northern and Aboriginal communities, non-government organizations and the private sector to build on existing strengths and to address the distinctive needs and priorities of northern people.
Why is the Manitoba Government pursuing the NDS at this time?
The Manitoba Government believes that now is the time to act in order to make a significant difference in the lives of northern Manitobans. Many people have studied the North in the past. It's time to act on what has been learned.
Why pursue a NDS Strategy?
The NDS will result in the following benefits:
- Improving the quality of life for northern Manitobans
- Expanding educational and employment opportunities
- Increasing economic opportunities
- Coordinating approaches to services and investment in northern Manitoba
What is the approach of the Northern Development Strategy?
For many years all provincial governments have been pursuing initiatives in the north. However, often these initiatives were not coordinated and this resulted in an ineffective and inefficient use of scarce fiscal resources. The NDS is designed to better identify what resources are available and how we can more effectively deliver programs for the north.
As part of the NDS, the Manitoba Government has established an interdepartmental working group, consisting of senior civil servants, that have been meeting regularly to coordinate the delivery of services to Northern Manitoba. A senior Cabinet Committee, the Community and Economic Development Committee, has been charged with coordinating these efforts to ensure that northern priorities are addressed.
One of the first tasks of the group has been to compile an inventory of provincial programs and activities currently being delivered in the North. This inventory has provided a good profile of the work government is performing in the region.
The next step in the process will be to determine how programs can be delivered to better meet the needs of Northern Manitobans. To assist in this process, all government departments are now required to report, on an ongoing basis, as to what initiatives they are undertaking in the north. In addition, departments have been mandated to work together to coordinate their efforts in the delivery and coordination of housing, health, employment and training, transportation and community and economic development initiatives.
Why is the NDS different from previous northern initiatives?
The Manitoba Government believes that the NDS is a sound and fiscally responsible approach towards northern development. It improves the coordination of services and ensures that departments work together to focus on the priorities of the north in all of their daily decision making. In addition, the Strategy provides co-ordination and support for communities to improve infrastructure, community services and economic development in northern Manitoba.
Does the NDS simply benefit the north?
All Manitobans benefit from the development of human and economic potential of the north. Many studies have demonstrated that economic developments in the north have had a direct and substantial benefit to the economy of the entire province.
When will the Manitoba Government begin to pursue northern development initiatives under the NDS?
For the last two years, the Manitoba Government has been pursuing development initiatives in northern Manitoba. These initiatives have resulted in substantial improvements in the lives of northerners. Some of these initiatives include:
- Increased post-secondary education opportunities
- Hydro project equity agreements with Split Lake and Nelson House
- lowering northern hydro rates
- Memorandum of Understanding with Nunavut
- increasing the northern highways capital budget
- increasing the provincial winter road network
- enhancing support for northern airports
- strong support for Port of Churchill
- The elimination of the $50 user fee for northern patient transportation
- increasing funding to the ACCESS program
- REDI programs brought under Development Fund in NE Manitoba
The Manitoba Government has also introduced partnership initiatives designed to benefit Manitoba's Aboriginal community including:
- Hydro development agreements between Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba First Nations
- Employment agreements with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and Manitoba Hydro
- Aboriginal Child Welfare Initiative with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Metis Federation and Southern Chiefs Organization
- Establishment of the Aboriginal Resource Council
- TEAM micro enterprise support under the Development Fund for 13 communities in the North with plans for an additional 27 communities in two years
The Manitoba Government's approach toward northern development is to improve the quality of life for our Northern and Aboriginal people and to make northern Manitobans full partners in creating a strong and sustainable economy.
What do you see as priorities for Northern Manitoba for the next two years?
Over the course of the next two years, the Manitoba Government will continue to build on the initiatives that have already started and will continue to make significant strides on other initiatives including enhancing northern healthcare, education, transportation and addressing the challenges of climate change in the north.
The Government of Manitoba is also working with the Federal Government to pursue initiatives designed to enhance remote access, including improved transportation links to Nunavut, child welfare initiatives, Aboriginal justice, and post-secondary education.
In addition, our government will continue to work with First Nations to pursue hydro development to ensure that Manitoba First Nations benefit from hydro development projects.
Was there northern input in the development of the NDS?
There have been many opportunities for northern input into the development of a northern development strategy. During the last two years, the Manitoba Government has met and consulted with northerners on an ongoing basis. This has included a senior government officials meeting in The Pas, the Northern Mayors and Chiefs Forum (January, 2000), Northern Health Workshop (October 2000), the Northern Housing Forum, and the Climate Change Task Force (2001). These consultations and meetings have laid the foundation for the NDS. The priorities, strengths and experiences of northern people will guide the NDS.
