HJR 15-SUPPORT ARCTIC CAUCUS  10:24:02 AM CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Relating to collaboration with the Yukon and the Northwest Territories through the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region and its Arctic Caucus to address common issues. 10:25:45 AM STEPHEN ROSE, Director of Policy and Planning, Department of Economic Development, Government of Yukon Territory, said the Government of Yukon Territory (YT) sees the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) and its Arctic Caucus as important mechanisms for collaboration in pursuing common goals and objections for Alaska and YT; in fact, YT government's Minister of Economic Development is very supportive of PNWER and has been very active in PNWER over the past several years. The YT government supports the passing of HJR 15 in order to advance discussion, networking, and collaboration within PNWER's Arctic Caucus, and to promote a pan-northern approach to Alaska and YT's respective federal governments. Yukon Territory and Alaska have a long history as trade partners and have an extremely close relationship historically, socially, and economically; their economies are interlinked, as Yukoners and Alaskans cross the border each way for goods, services, work, and recreation. This resolution will enhance the collaboration between the respective jurisdictions and create a stronger alliance through which to pursue the common goals of the regions. Yukon Territory forms the corridor between Alaska and the rest of North America, and therefore shares a number of key infrastructure priorities, including the development of port access, highway systems, alternative energy sources, and telecommunications services, and PNWER provides a forum for addressing these shared interests. The Arctic Caucus is a unique approach and has great potential to benefit those living and working in the North, and who are dealing with issues surrounding cold climate, remoteness, and the need for a sustainable economy through investment in transportation and communication infrastructure. Yukon Territory government projections indicate that its population and economy will continue to grow, furthering its need to develop and maintain a strong and competitive infrastructure to meet these projections. Yukon Territory's all-weather road system is connected to Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, and NWT, and leads to tidewater access through Alaska, which is a prerequisite to the viability of many resource development projects in the territory. Yukon Territory government is participating in the development of the Yukon Ports Access Strategy with the Skagway Port Development Committee, and believes this to be an important step towards meeting YT's commitment to secure tidewater access to the Asian market in support of its resource industry. The Alaska Highway is a fine example of shared transportation infrastructure, as it is a Canada/U.S. collaboration, and of critical importance to each of their jurisdictions. This highway enables year-round tourism and commercial transportation to Alaska, and provides critical logistical support for construction and operation of the proposed Alaska Highway Natural Gas Transmission System to transport Alaska North Slope gas to the mainland United States. Yukon Territory government is also committed to expanding YT's energy infrastructure that will provide an energy alternative to Yukoners, and also provide mine sites with lower-costing green energy that will reduce reliance on diesel power. The Alaska Highway Pipeline Project (AHPP) will provide options for gas-fired electrical generation which would remove current constraints to electrical generation. Expanding its energy infrastructure remains a priority for the YT government, and will lead to the sustainable development and competitiveness of the PNWER region. Access to reliable and affordable telecommunication services is another important infrastructure component for those living and working in the Arctic regions. This access is provided through a 2,000 kilometer fiber optic link between Whitehorse and Edmonton, Alberta, completed in August 2009. Unfortunately this fiber is vulnerable to breach or impairment by human activity and natural events. The YT government is looking to build a second fiber optic link to the south that would enable an almost immediate switch-over of voice and data traffic, with no degradation in service, thus improving the level of availability and reliability to institutions, businesses, and consumers. Some of the routes being considered for the second fiber optic link would pass through the State of Alaska. Telecommunications is an area of interest for PNWER, and YT continues to move forward on improving this important aspect of infrastructure. Mr. Rose said he appreciated the opportunity to be part of the committee's discussion on this resolution. Promoting and communicating a harmonized message detailing the common needs of the Arctic Caucus is important to the welfare of Alaska and YT. 10:31:22 AM CHAIR HERRON noted the many treaties and agreements between Canada and the U.S., beginning with the first in 1873. He asked how the resolution will help the two countries move forward in the Arctic region. 10:32:26 AM MR. ROSE opined agreements that encourage communication allow for additional focus on common issues. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked whether education is a subject of common interest. MR. ROSE said education has always been of interest to YT; in fact, YT takes part in Arctic discussions with the university, and would be very supportive of interaction in that area. 10:33:42 AM KEVIN TODD, Director of Investment and Economic Analysis, Government of Northwest Territories (NWT), stated he was representing the Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment, Government of NWT, and expressed his government's support of HJR 15. The Arctic Caucus allows Alaska, YT, and NWT to discuss northern issues and present a unified Arctic voice. It also provides a forum for the three governments to share information and develop regional policies related to the Arctic and Arctic development, and for coordination of federal policies. The opportunity to share information and discuss areas of mutual concern is valuable in the unique North; furthermore, presenting a unified front between Alaska and NWT allows them to raise their collective profile within PNWER and with both federal governments. The first Arctic Caucus forum held in Barrow in December 2010, covered common issues such as northern development, infrastructure, search and rescue, and tourism promotion. As a result, an Arctic partnership for growth has been created between Canada and Alaska. Mr. Todd restated his government's support for HJR 15, which he said will promote greater regional collaboration, enhance domestic and international markets, leverage regional influence, and achieve continued economic growth while maintaining the region's natural beauty and environment. 10:36:34 AM CHAIR HERRON understood a second Arctic Caucus meeting will take place in Yellowknife in August. 10:38:01 AM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked whether the government of NWT has introduced or passed a similar resolution. MR. TODD said he was unsure about a formal resolution; however, the Arctic Caucus has been discussed by the legislature and there is strong support from government officials. In response to Chair Herron, he said the Arctic Caucus meeting will be held around August 19, 2011. 10:40:47 AM SENATOR LESIL MCGUIRE informed the committee that she and others have been working with PNWER for over a decade in order to grow the partnership between Canada and Alaska. It is fortunate to "live right next door" to another government that shares valued aspects such as democracy, rights for women, the equality of all people, the development of resources, and challenges with their respective federal governments. She thanked Chair Herron for his leadership at the first Arctic Caucus meeting in Barrow, and spoke of the residual effects of that meeting. Senator McGuire stated her support for HJR 15, and noted that a copy has been provided to the U.S. Department of State. She opined the Arctic Council and the Arctic Caucus are opportunities to balance the sensitivities of the indigenous population, whale migrations, and development. 10:43:31 AM CHAIR HERRON declared the Arctic Caucus came about because of the leadership of Senator McGuire. CHAIR HERRON closed public testimony. 10:44:11 AM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK turned attention to page 2, line 12, of the resolution and asked Senator McGuire whether the challenge of providing an adequate education is missing from "the list of common problems." SENATOR MCGUIRE acknowledged that many issues were brought up through PNWER, including "access to education." She suggested that the committee could add access to education to the list of challenges on page 2, lines 12-18, because the delivery of distance education is a problem common to both governments. CHAIR HERRON advised that a conceptual amendment would be appropriate. 10:46:07 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER urged the addition of "and workforce development," to the conceptual amendment because PNWER also recognizes this as a common problem, and it is closely tied to education. CHAIR HERRON surmised a conceptual amendment could include education and workforce development. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK agreed. REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER asked whether a representative of the Canadian government would confirm that providing access to education and workforce development are issues for YT and NWT as well. 10:47:26 AM DENIS STEVENS, Consul General, Consulate General of Canada, confirmed that those are issues that are very important to the people in the northern territories and their governments. Although the federal government of Canada is not a member of PNWER, it takes a great interest in its proceedings, and Mr. Stevens attends PNWER meetings as an observer. CHAIR HERRON also noted that the Northern Waters Task Force has addressed the issue of marine pilots. He suggested that a conceptual amendment could include "jurisdictional licensing of marine pilots in their respective countries." 10:50:02 AM REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to report HJR 15, Version 27- LS0477\M, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHJR 15(EDT) was reported from the House Special Committee on Economic Development, International Trade and Tourism.