(Above) CBC news clip about Harper’s Northern Tour which will emphasize resource development. www.cbc.ca
The Toronto Star, has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.
“Because that great national dream — the development of northern resources
— no longer sleeps. It is not down the road. It is happening now … the
North’s time has come, my friends, and you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
(Prime Minister Stephen Harper – August 20, 2012)
CARCROSS, YUKON—Prime Minister Stephen says Canada’s future lies in the exploitation of the nation’s northern resource riches, branding it as a “great national dream.”
Harper kicked off his annual tour of northern Canada here Monday with a bullish vision that sees the country’s prosperity fuelled by the untapped Arctic resources. “Those who want to see the future of this country should look north,” the prime minister told a gathering of Conservative supporters.
“Because that great national dream — the development of northern resources — no longer sleeps. It is not down the road. It is happening now,” Harper said in a speech at this small outpost south of Whitehorse. “The North’s time has come, my friends, and you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Harper made the comments even as controversy flares on another resource front — the plan to pipe Alberta oil over sensitive British Columbia lands to the Pacific coast and on to Asian markets.
But the turbulence bubbling in the west over the Northern Gateway pipeline hasn’t dampened Harper’s view that Canada’s future fortunes lie in exploiting oil, gas and mineral resources.
Harper said that mineral exploration is already reaching unprecedented levels across the North with as many as 30 new projects to be developed over the next decade.
And he said the world — with an appetite for resources — seems ready-made for Canada
“We see our task as standing on guard for the North, ensuring that northerners receive every possible benefit from northern development,” Harper said.
That includes an “efficient, timely,” review process of proposed project that he said would protect the heritage of the region.
However, that streamlined environmental process has emerged as one flashpoint in the proposed $6-billion Northern Gateway project.
For the rest of this article, please go to the Toronto Star website: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1244289–stephen-harper-canada-s-future-lies-in-its-northern-resource-riches