The Aboriginal Pipeline Group (APG) was formed to represent the interests of Aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories in building a business partnership to maximize ownership and benefits of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
APG will work to maximize benefits to Aboriginal people through training, education, employment and business opportunities. The delivery of these benefits will promote financial self-sufficiency and contribute to meaningful participation in the economies of the Northwest Territories and Canada. APG also wants to build a business partnership that will contribute to a steady, long-term source of income for Aboriginal people.
MOU Provides a Foundation
To lay the foundation for the achievement of these objectives, APG negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mackenzie Delta Producers Group. The MOU gives APG the right to own up to one-third of the proposed pipeline and sets out the principles and processes for the development of benefit plans.
To make sure that communities and Aboriginal people maximize the benefits from the project, decisions need to be made well before pipeline construction and operations begin. However, there are risks associated with getting ready for something that is "not a sure thing." The process of getting ready needs to be balanced with some caution.
APG to Help Communities Get Ready
To fulfill its mandate to maximize benefits, APG will be available to meet with communities to help to identify the choices that need to be made to be ready for employment and business opportunities that would be part of the construction and operation of a Mackenzie Valley pipeline.
To provide sustained employment and business opportunities, APG will help communities to identify skills and businesses that have long-term application in the North. The opportunity to use skills in oil and gas exploration, mining and other sectors will make sure that education, training and business ventures continue to contribute to self-reliance.
Benefit Agreements
The proponents must respect and comply with land claims and agreements arising from the Deh Cho Process. APG, working with the Producers Group and claims organizations, has identified a number of benefit plans, land access and related arrangements that need to be negotiated. These will be listed in Appendix B of the MOU once they are fully identified.
Benefits Protocol
APG has negotiated a protocol that covers principles and processes that will be used in developing Benefit Plans and related arrangements for a Mackenzie Valley pipeline. This protocol is set out in Section 2 of the MOU between APG and the Producers Group.
