Past Agenda
Day 1
March 20, 2024
Registration Opens and Refreshments Available
Menzie McEachernAssistant Deputy Minister - Mineral & Petroleum Resources, Industry, Tourism and InvestmentGovernment of Northwest Territories
David KunukDeputy Minister, Economic Development and TransportationGovernment of Nunavut
- Overview of the new Nunavut Devolution agreement
- Discussion of Net Zero initiatives in Nunavut
- Highlights of Grays Bay and developments in getting the road connected to NWT
- Critical minerals and funding for diamond and gold mining in NWT and Nunavut
- Developments in oil and gas projects in Nunavut and NWT
- The latest on the hydro fibre link in Nunavut
- New legislation and policy and the need for additional federal programming in the north; discussion of the North of 60 tax credit and NWT Mineral Resources Act regulations and plans to attract investment in critical minerals – rare earths, cobalt, lithium etc.
- Climate change and impact of forest fires and how this underscores the vulnerability of supply chains due to road closures, damaged railway from Hay River and food security
- Indigenous access to capital and how they can become full owners of projects in the north
Networking Refreshment Break
Travis BalaskiPresidentInuvialuit Energy Security Project Ltd.
- Overview of the Indigenous owned energy security project for natural gas, propane, and diesel
- Successes to date including business benefits to the community, environmental monitoring, and completed construction (civil construction and well workover)
- Project next steps: Completion of winter construction program, Energy Facility design and construction, final approvals, recruitment and training for operational roles
Networking Luncheon
Prospects for the Growth of Critical Minerals and Northern Partnerships and Next Steps for Carbon Free Energy for Critical Mineral Projects
Claudine LeeVice President, Corporate Social ResponsibilityNorZinc Ltd.
April HaywardChief Sustainability OfficerLi-FT Power Ltd.
- Examining the importance of critical minerals to the economy and next steps in mine project development, construction and partnerships
- Exploring the new mini-boom in lithium and prospects for development
- How can government play a role in partnering and working to develop these critical mines? (Infrastructure, power, regulatory process)
- What are the plans to ensure carbon free energy is available for critical mineral projects?
- How are mining projects providing economic and partnering opportunities for communities?
Networking Refreshment Break
Katharina KochResearch Associate, Canadian Northern Corridor Research ProgramThe School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
Paul GrunerCEOTlicho Investment Corporation
Ted BauerVP, Engagement and External RelationsAlberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
Donna St. LouisAssociate Director, Member ServicesFirst Nations Finance Authority
Joe CalnanEnergy Security Forum ManagerCanadian Global Affairs Institute
- The Canadian Northern Corridor Community Engagement Program: Results and lessons learned
- How to overcome community engagement challenges and gain more participation from northerners
- Discussing models for success and how Indigenous communities can benefit from resource activities
Holly Waeger MonsterUS Consul GeneralUnited States Consulate, Calgary
Chris MyldeSenior Vice President, Corporate Development, Sproule/Honorary ConsulRoyal Norwegian Consulate, Calgary
Assessing investments in infrastructure and resource development across the north in the US, Canada, Norway
- Update on Norwegian offshore tracts and in critical minerals
- Updates on Northern energy projects and critical minerals investments by the U.S. government
- How is increased developed being balanced with sustainable development?
- Has the investment landscape changed considering increased investment in the region?
Day One Closing Remarks and Conference Adjourns
Day 2
March 21, 2024
Registration Opens and Refreshments Available
Opening Remarks from the Conference Chair
Heather Exner-PirotSenior FellowMacdonald-Laurier Institute
Rob HuebertAssociate Professor, Department of Political ScienceUniversity of Calgary- Centre for Military, Strategic and Security Studies
Jean-Philippe RacicotA/Manager, Critical Infrastructure AssessmentsCanadian Centre for Cyber Security
Kelly J. OgleCEOCanadian Global Affairs Institute
This panel will explore how our geopolitical landscape is influencing Arctic energy, security, and sovereignty in Canada. More specifically, panelists will discuss its implications for the actors involved in the Northern oil and gas sector, diving simultaneously into economic and national security issues.
Networking Refreshment Break
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES: Replacing Diesel Generation with Microreactors
Daniel SaxFounder & CEOCanadian Space Mining Corporation
Heather Exner-PirotSenior FellowMacdonald-Laurier Institute
CSMC is highly focused on extreme environments and arctic infrastructure. They are in development of a nuclear reactor for the moon and are working in parallel to displace diesel generators in the arctic. They have also developed a shipping container hospital for remote and indigenous communities in the arctic, funded by the Canadian space agency.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES: Exploring the Viability of Small Modular Reactors (SMR’s)
Waqar ZaidiSenior Vice President, Commercial and Structured FinancingUltra Safe Nuclear
Rupen PandyaPresident and Chief Executive OfficerSaskPower
Madeleine RedfernMember of The National Indigenous Advisory Council on SMRs and Special AdvisorUltra Safe Nuclear (USNC)
Louie ShoukasChief Nuclear OfficerPCL Industrial Constructors Inc.
- Discussion of technical and economic feasibility of SMRs for the north
- Indigenous engagement and perspectives for nuclear projects in the north and how to approach and socialize these projects within the local communities
Networking Lunch for Delegates and Speakers
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION IN REMOTE COMMUNITIES: Renewables and Low Carbon Energy
Katie KachurVice-President, Government Relations, WestCanadian Propane Association
- Demonstrating the role of propane as part of a low carbon energy solution that can complement renewables and reduce emissions while providing reliable energy for remote, rural and Indigenous communities
- Discussion of small-scale power storage and generation projects as part of a climate change solution and diesel reduction in the north
Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Projects: How Northern Projects Are Adapting to the Net Zero Transition
Mark HeyckExecutive DirectorArctic Energy Alliance
- The role of capacity building in the North to support the transition to net zero
- Funding support for northern communities for clean energy and energy efficiency projects
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation: merging efforts to address climate change impacts
- Assessing the role of technologies to help us adapt to climate change impacts