WHITEHORSE, Yukon – The Yukon government has hired a consultant to evaluate the economic impact the construction and operation of an Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline would have on the region.

“Results from this analysis will be used to demonstrate the immense regional and national benefits that would flow from this project,” says Yukon Minister of Economic Development, Scott Kent.

“Knowing the expected impacts on job creation, economic opportunities and revenues for the Yukon, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, the Northwest Territories and other parts of Canada will be of importance to the federal government as well as provincial and territorial governments.”

Kent’s department recently awarded a $126,000 contract to Informetrica Ltd.

The organization’s Whitehorse associates, Luigi Zanasi and Malcolm Taggart, will provide local information and expertise on the project.

The report will be completed early in 2002 and will evaluate the Yukon, regional and national impacts on key economic variables for different stages and aspects of pipeline construction and operation over 25 years.