Mr. Speaker, I have a return to written question asked by Mr. Yakeleya on November 5, 2009, regarding the Government of the Northwest Territories Science Agenda.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge and the role that traditional knowledge holders play in supplying a critical source of information. The Science Agenda recognizes the importance of knowledge acquired from research, baseline studies, effects monitoring, traditional knowledge studies and community-based monitoring in a range of fields, including social sciences, physical and natural sciences, archaeology, engineering and health sciences. Environment and Natural Resources is currently leading a Traditional Knowledge Policy Implementation Initiative.

The purpose of the Science Agenda is to promote the Government of the Northwest Territories’ commitment to science and the importance of science in policy, program and service development. One of the keys to successful implementation of the agenda is to work with Northwest Territories community groups, and aboriginal governments and organizations to develop a comprehensive Northwest Territories policy using this Science Agenda as a starting point. It is intended that this approach ensure that northern aboriginal peoples are not only participants in the research but also play a key role in identifying what research needs to be conducted and how and when traditional knowledge is accessed and used in the research.

There are numerous organizations involved in and committed to conducting research in the Northwest Territories. Detailed information on projects that are

currently being conducted is available through the research licences administered by GNWT departments. Typically, over 200 licences or permits are issued annually to researchers from both within and external to the Northwest Territories. The system does not, however, provide detailed information on planned or proposed research projects. Details on past research are compiled in the Arctic Science and Technology Information System (ASTIS) database at the Arctic Institute of North America at the University of Calgary.

Even with new Government of the Northwest Territories investments in science, external sources will remain the largest contributors to science activities in the Northwest Territories. The major funding sources for research include federal departments, including the Geological Survey of Canada, Environment Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Health Canada; the three Canadian research councils, which include the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Science and Humanities Research Council, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research; and universities. Industry also conducts research related to the ecological and social/economic impacts of their proposed development activities. Large multi-year programs such as International Polar Year have resulted in expanded short-term funding and in funding flowing from sources outside of Canada.

Through Government of the Northwest Territories investments in implementing the Science Agenda, we will be better able to direct these funding sources towards research that will address Northwest Territories science priorities and will enable the Government of the Northwest Territories to partner in the research.

The science activities of the Government of the Northwest Territories are not currently identified by research project, but rather are identified and funded by activity; for example, wildlife management or mineral resource assessments.

Through implementation of the Science Agenda, the Government of the Northwest Territories will have a clearer picture of the research projects being planned or conducted, ensure these projects are addressing Government of the Northwest Territories’ science priorities and ensure there is appropriate coordination between projects.