My friends, love is better than anger.
Hope is better than fear.
Optimism is better than despair.
So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic.
And we'll change the world.

Jack Layton (1950-2011) Farewell message to Canadians

Inuvik Roundtable on Arctic Offshore Drilling - Ottawa Forum

From September 10 to 16, 2011, the Canadian National Energy Board (NEB) is hosting their Arctic Offshore Drilling Review Roundtable Meeting in Inuvik. Several people of our acquaintance submitted material to the review, and had expected to present that material at the Roundtable in Inuvik. Unfortunately, their requests for funding from the NEB's $300,000 travel fund were denied. We learned that others in the south were also interested in the proceedings of the Inuvik Roundtable, but also could not afford the cost or time to attend. Therefore, we have quickly put together an alternative that we hope will satisfy the needs of some potential presenters who are unable to go to the conference in Inuvik.

Based on this information, RESTCo has elected to sponsor an Ottawa-based forum which will monitor the Inuvik proceedings via the NEB's Internet broadcast and participate via the toll-free telephone numbers being provided by the NEB. This is open to anyone prepared to travel to Ottawa. We already expect attendees from Montreal and Halifax. In addition, we will be hosting presentations prior to the NEB proceedings and during the lunch breaks which will be recorded and made available on the RESTCo.ca website after the forum has concluded. We do not have the NEB's resources, so our proceedings will be held primarily in English, while our speakers are welcome to present in the language of their choice.

This forum is intended to allow community members and subject experts to raise and discuss issues raised at the Inuvik sessions and related to those issues. Therefore, the forum is open to anyone with an interest or relevant expertise in the area of off-shore drilling in the Arctic context, including, but not limited to technical issues, oil spill remediation, oil spill impacts on environment, wildlife, local residents, traditional lifestyle, financial risk and sureties.

Unless otherwise indicated in the schedule, all events will be held in the Canada Science and Technology Museum Conference Hall (1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5A3
The sessions will be moderated by RESTCo principals.

The Ottawa program is subject to change based on who will be participating. To date, we expect local presentations on the following topics.