A presentation was made at last week’s Thompson Chamber of Commerce meeting that is working toward the benefit of all of northern Manitoba.

Community Futures North Central Development made the presentation about their Northern Values initiative, which outlines common values for sustainable development of the Boreal forest in Manitoba while still sustaining economical development in the north.

Those values include prosperity, balance between development and conservation, cooperation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and government, community benefits, respecting the rights of northern people, maintaining financial attractiveness, spreading knowledge about the region, and clear common goals.

The manager of Community Futures Tim Johnston noted that Northern Values will be working alongside the new provincial government and their proposed “Yes North” program to better represent northern Manitoba in decisions that will affect the region.

“The hope would be that the coalition would move forward to a discussion with the new government and talk about their plans for northern Manitoba and be able to have some input, or at least advise them on the position of the coalition.”

Johnston noted that more support is needed from organizations in the north before they bring their coalition to the province.