Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
03/17/2011 10:15 AM House ECON. DEV., TRADE & TOURISM
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR15 | |
| Presentation: "canada and Alaska: Partnership for Growth" | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
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.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR 15 - Alaska Arctic Caucus - PNWER.pdf |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 - Arctic Caucus Proceedings.pdf |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 - LG testimony 2.22.11.docx |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| Canadian Consul General Denis Stevens Bio.doc |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
|
| EDT - Consul Stevens Presentation - Canada and Alaska Partners for Growth (3.16.11).pdf |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
|
| HJR 15 - Fiscal Note (Zero).pdf |
HEDT 3/17/2011 10:15:00 AM |
HJR 15 |