The mandate of the Northern Affairs Division is to:
- stimulate and support business and employment development in northern Saskatchewan;
- promote maximum benefits and opportunities for northerners from northern development;
- work with northerners and partner agencies to provide leadership and support for regional economic planning and sector development in northern Saskatchewan; and,
- advance northern perspectives and interests within government decision-making processes.
The Division's mandate focuses on supporting economic growth in the North, with an emphasis on long-term benefits. This approach assists Northerners to more fully participate in their own regional economy, and to play strong roles in shaping and planning their economy. A sense of partnership and co-operation underpins this approach, ensuring that northerners and government work together to set development priorities and to address challenges.
Northern Affairs has established specific goals and objectives, against which the Ministry measures its progress within its mandate. Progress on these objectives is described in the Ministry's Annual Report.
Programs and Services
To accomplish its mandate, the Northern Affairs Division offers the following services:
- Business support, including advice on opportunities and business plans, and skills training;
- Northern Development Fund, which supports business growth and traditional industries through commercial and primary production loans and a small grants program;
- Support for Regional Development Corporations, which help co-ordinate development initiatives according to priorities set at a regional level;
- Negotiation and administration of mine surface lease agreements, which require northern mines to address not only environmental and safety issues, but also socio-economic benefits for northerners;
- Environmental Quality Committee, whose membership represents 32 northern communities interested in monitoring the uranium industry and providing input to decisions by companies and regulators on new developments;
- Commercial fishing freight subsidy and price support, to assist commercial fishers;
- Northern Development Agreement, a $20-million federal-provincial agreement to build northern infrastructure and northern capacity for economic growth; and
- Advising government of northern perspectives on other ministries' policies and operations, particularly relating to resource development and maximizing northerners' benefits.
Northern Affairs Division has a total staff complement of 27 full-time equivalents (FTEs). The Division has two permanent offices (La Ronge and Regina), and two field offices (Creighton, Buffalo Narrows).
