As the federal Minister responsible for Northern Development, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, TransCanada Pipelines and the Mackenzie Valley natural gas producers, Imperial Oil, ConocoPhillips Canada, Shell Canada and Exxon Mobil Canada, on the signing of their financing agreement to advance the work of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Group. It has always been our position that any pipeline proposal should be driven by market forces, and not subsidies, and here we see the market working to everyone's advantage.

It is a clear reality that there are major opportunities for economic growth North of 60 in resource development, particularly dealing with oil and gas. Agreements like this one today demonstrate that Canada is well positioned to make a significant contribution to the North American energy supply. As evidence of the government's commitment the Pipeline Readiness Office has opened in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to support Aboriginal groups, northerners, regulators, industry and other governments.

For more information, please contact:

Alastair Mullin
Director of Communications, Office of the Minister
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(819) 997-0002

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