Mission

• To manage the oil and gas resources on federal lands in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and in the northern offshore



• To seek practical solutions on oil and gas matters that address the interests of northerners, aboriginals and Canadians generally and promotes a competitive climate for investment



• To increase understanding of oil and gas matters and to provide informed advice in support of the economic and political development of the North.

Our Vision

Within the visions of devolution and sustainable development:

• a healthy petroleum sector in Canada's North
• an informed, supportive and self sufficient northern community
• training and employment opportunities for northerners
• sustained opportunities for northern business

Our Mandate

We issue Calls for Nominations and Calls for Bids for new exploration rights and establish and administer the terms and conditions of exploration, significant discovery and production licences. We review and approve benefits plans, collect royalties, and maintain a rights registry that is open to the public. We advise the Minister regarding Governor-in-Council consent to development plan approvals for oil and gas development projects.

The provisions of comprehensive land claim agreements and Canada's 1997 aboriginal action plan, Gathering Strength, guide our exercise of this mandate.

Jurisdiction

In the Northwest Territories, Nunavut Territory and northern offshore areas, the management of federal oil and gas resources is divided between two federal Ministers. In the Northwest Territories and adjacent offshore area, including the area offshore Yukon, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is the Minister responsible. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development also has the responsibility in Nunavut Territory and in the adjacent offshore north of a line of administrative convenience drawn through northern Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait. South of this line, the Minister of Natural Resources is the Minister responsible.

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