As part of developing the Northwest Territories’ policy approach to hydraulic fracturing, representatives of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure joined a delegation led by the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment on a tour of the Bakken shale formation in Saskatchewan and North Dakota, between September 29

and October 4,

2013.

The delegation, made up of the Minister; Members of the Legislative Assembly; staff from the departments of Environment and Natural

Resources, and Industry Tourism and Investment; the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office; the National Energy Board; and leadership from Sahtu communities, travelled to Regina, Stoughton and Estevan, Saskatchewan; and Williston, New Town and Mandaree, North Dakota. The group met with a large number of people representing the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy, including Minister of the Economy, the Honourable Tim McMillan; the Saskatchewan Geological Survey; Cenovus Energy Incorporated; Crescent Point Energy Corporation; Statoil; the City of Williston; the State of North Dakota; the Consul General for North Dakota; members of the Three Affiliated Tribes Mandaree, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; ONEOK Incorporated; and Cheveyo Energy Incorporated. The standing committee thanks all presenters for their time in meeting with the delegation and their thoughtful responses to questions and comments. Committee members also thank the Minister and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment for coordinating the tour and making it possible for the entire delegation to participate.

Existing land use plans, the devolution of land and resource management, and self-government agreements place the Northwest Territories in a much different position than jurisdictions in the Bakken. Our situation also differs widely in terms of volume of activity, infrastructure, workforce and regulatory regime, but valuable lessons can still be drawn from the delegation’s experience. The committee’s observations may be summarized under three broad themes highlighted in a presentation by City of Williston Commissioner Brad Bekkedahl: planning, people and partnerships. Members would also like to take this opportunity to comment on the tour’s scope and further committee direction on this important issue.