Northern Resources Development Program David J. Scott February 27, 2004 An overview of the Northern Resources Development Program and role of the Bowser/Sustut project

2 NRCan’s Earth Science Sector (GSC +GC) has restructured its science activities to focus on prioritized issues, including: Strong and Safe Communities, A Clean Environment, Sustainable Development of Natural Resources, Development of the North Seventeen national Programs created to address these issues; Northern Resources Development Program comprises 13 projects across Canada that deliver geoscience knowledge to address Development of the North; Bowser / Sustut project is one of 6 energy-focused projects. Context for the Bowser / Sustut project?

3 Northern Resources Development Program Rationale: Responsible development of energy and mineral resources will be the basis for future economic sustainability and quality of life for northern Canadians, many of whom are First Nations or Inuit. Across much of the North, the geoscience knowledge base is currently so inadequate that it impedes the private sector investment that will drive the development of energy and mineral resources needed to build robust and sustainable Northern economies.

4 Northern Resources Development Program Many northern communities have few economic options other than responsible development of their natural resources; an improved geoscience knowledge base will catalyse new private sector investment that will deliver new economic opportunities to northern communities. NRD Program Vision: The NRD Program will assist northern Canadians in attaining economic self-sufficiency, social stability and improved quality of life by delivering new geoscience products to stimulate exploration, discovery, and responsible development of energy and mineral resources.

5 NRD Project TGI-2 Component

6 Working with partners to deliver... Outputs... Regional digital geoscience map compilations using surface and subsurface data; New multi-thematic regional geoscience analyses and syntheses; Digital basin syntheses and petroleum resource assessments of northern basin areas. … and Outcomes Web-enabled geoscience data contributing to energy and mineral exploration investment decisions in the North. Investment in northern exploration, development and resource extraction increases 50% from 2002 levels. Northern communities aware of how to use geoscience information in developing geoscience/natural resources career opportunities.

7 Working with partners to... Deliver new geoscience products for regions where the current knowledge base is not adequate to support exploration; Contribute to reducing exploration risk to catalyse new private sector investment; Help to create new economic opportunities for northern communities; Contribute to improving the quality of life of northern Canadians