Regional Partnerships and Research
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) supports research to inform the management of oil and gas activities in the North. This research works towards improving environmental, economic and social sustainability of oil and gas development in Canada's North, in a manner that is consistent with the Government of Canada's actions under the United States – Canada Joint Statement on Climate, Energy, and Arctic Leadership (March 2016), as well as its responsibilities under the Canada Petroleum Resources Act and the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act.
As part of the strategic planning process ahead of potential oil and gas activities in Canada's North, INAC leverages partnerships among Indigenous communities and organizations, industry, academia, and other federal government departments to:
- incorporate traditional and scientific knowledge in examining the full life cycle of oil and gas activities as part of the Arctic Regional Environmental Studies
- support Environmental Studies Research Fund activities and the Management Board
- coordinate the Canada – United States Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum
- maintain a record of Historical Northern Oil and Gas Research Initiatives to further our current understanding of the Arctic and avoid duplication of related research