Slide1: September 11, 2007 Edmonton, Alberta Presented to: Aboriginal Involvement in Resource Management Symposium By: Brian Love Executive Director, Oil and Gas Resources Yukon Government First Nation Capacity Building - Yukon Government Approach


Slide2: Background Common Regime APC SE Yukon Training Consultation and collaboration Outline


Slide3: Background 14 Yukon First Nations - 11 have settled land claims. Category A and B lands. UFA is framework agreement for all land claims and settlement agreements. Settled YFNs have full ownership of Category A lands, including full sub-surface rights. Settled YFNs have law-making authority over their citizens and lands, including land use, regulations, licencing, taxation, etc.


Slide4: Existing AHPP easement through Yukon First Nation Traditional Territories ( ) Background


Slide5: Background - Yukon’s Onshore Oil and Gas Potential


Slide6: Common Regime YG and YFNs have worked together since 1997 to coordinate development of an oil and gas regime in Yukon. Object of Common Regime is to provide a consistent regulatory process throughout Yukon. This approach has many advantages: It clearly defines the rules, creating more certainty for industry. Common rules facilitate management of resources that straddle boundaries. Common management of data makes it easier and quicker to access information about Yukon’s oil and gas resources. Adoption of Yukon legislation and regulations by YFNs is a cost-effective method of developing their respective oil and gas regimes. Common administration of oil and gas activity is more efficient and less costly. Adoption of a common regime avoids legal disputes.


Slide7: Common Regime The Yukon Oil and Gas Act (YOGA) is the nucleus of the regime and addresses: Administration Oil and gas rights Operations General matters, such as audits, offences and penalties Transitional and commencement matters


Slide8: Common Regime YOGA applies to all oil and gas operations in Yukon. The Operations section of YOGA, for example, is a law of general application under which approved operations apply to both Yukon FNs and Yukon oil and gas lands.


Slide9: Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition The APC was formed in 2003 to serve as a central coordinating organization on pipeline-related matters for YFNs directly impacted along the Alaska Highway pipeline corridor. APC areas of interest include: Regulatory issues Environmental issues Socio-economic impacts Benefits agreements The APC continues to receive support of the Yukon Government.


Slide10: Strategic Action Plan - AHPP Premiers of Yukon, British Columbia and Alberta agreement to establish strategic action plan for AHPP in Oct 2005. Purpose of agreement is to work cooperatively to prepare for the AHPP in Canada, prevent delays and to maximize benefits from the project. This agreement developed into the formal Strategic Action Plan (SAP), which consists of key action items: Business opportunities Training Regulatory coordination First Nation engagement strategy


Slide11: Strategic Action Plan - AHPP The First Nation engagement strategy component of the SAP: Provides for regulatory certainty - closely linked to FN support. Enables YG to work collaboratively with FNs on socio-economic issues. Calls for early engagement with FNs that would signal to industry and Alaska regulators that government is proactively addressing the issue of uncertainty associated with FN issues.


Slide12: Yukon maintains a strong interest in issuing oil and gas rights in this area of the Yukon. YG is committed to negotiating an Accommodation Agreement. Good recent progress in discussions between YG and SE Yukon FNs. Yukon has a common law obligation to consult with First Nations regarding potential infringements of aboriginal rights arising from proposed oil and gas development. Southeast Yukon


Slide13: Yukon FNs and BC FNs have transboundary claims in SE Yukon. With an existing pipeline in the SE Yukon, an estimated natural gas potential of 4.8 trillion cubic feet in the Liard Plateau, industry interest in acquiring oil and gas rights in the SE Yukon remains strong. However, pursuant to the Oil and Gas Act, Yukon First Nation consent is required to issue new rights where land claims are not settled. Southeast Yukon


Slide14: Training Job Site Transportation Fund Promotes training and employment opportunities for Yukoners in oil and gas industry. Designed to provide financial support specifically to oil and gas companies that wish to transport Yukon employees to job sites outside Yukon. Significant YFN involvement.


Slide15: Consultation/Collaboration Community outreach The Yukon Government is involved in ongoing visits to Yukon communities to update and educate Yukoners on developments in the Yukon’s oil and gas industry. First Nations Yukons make up a majority of the population in Yukon communities outside Whitehorse.


Slide16: Consultation/Collaboration Disposition process Yukon holds two sales of oil and gas rights per year. 13 dispositions in north Yukon were recently awarded. 2007 call for nominations resulted in three expressions of interest. The disposition process includes a comprehensive public input process, which includes consultation with affected YFNs. Spring 2007 Oil and Gas Dispositions


Slide17: Conclusion Settled YFNs control oil and gas development on their lands Common Regime promotes coordinated development APC represents FNs on pipeline corridor Strong FN component to Strategic Action Plan Talks positive regarding SE Yukon oil and gas YG promotes oil and gas training of Yukoners YG employs ongoing consultation/collaboration with YFNs


Slide18: Thank You www.yukonoilandgas.com