WHITEHORSE, Yuk. — A conference set to shine some light on the Northern Canada, its vast mineral, oil and gas resources, and the needed transportation to allow growth has been scheduled for May 2007.

The Western Transportation Advisory Council (WESTAC) and The Van Horne Institute will be holding a Resource Development and Northern Transportation conference in Whitehorse, Yuk. May 28 to 30 2007.

“As global demand for Canada’s commodities continues to rise, the need for new gateways and corridors becomes imperative,” said Ruth Sol, WESTAC president. “With its large land base, long coastline, and abundant mineral and energy resources, the North is poised to play an integral role in sustaining Canada’s economic growth.”

The conference will focus on energy and mineral opportunities, the current state of transportation, and the required infrastructure investment to extract, develop and market these resources. As well, it will consider challenges such as sovereignty and climate change and northern transportation’s benefits to tourism, culture and social advancement.

“Transportation is the lifeline that supports the Northern economy and its residents,” said Archie Lang, Yukon Minister of Highways and Public Works. “Accessible and reliable transportation infrastructure is needed to connect communities, enable economic development, and maintain future investment in the region.”

“There is huge potential for investment in the transportation infrastructure needed to unlock the resource wealth of the North,” added Peter C. Wallis, president and CEO of the Van Horne Institute. “Expansion of the mining sector, an upswing in oil and gas exploration, and many other opportunities related to resource-development predict a bright future for Northern Canada.”

For more information, visit www.westac.com or www.vanhorne.info.