Husky Energy, Sahtu communities sign 10-year deal

Husky Energy has signed a 10-year deal with four Sahtu land corporations in the Northwest Territories, bringing hopes that the agreement will give a boost to the local economy.

Residents in the Sahtu are in good spirits and expect the agreement will create job opportunities for locals. Husky officials said they will train and hire community members.

The company obtained exploration rights to two parcels of land in the Central Mackenzie Valley in July.

Eddie McPherson, president of the Fort Norman Métis Land Corporation, which is involved in the deal, said young people will be among those to benefit from the deal.

"Kids now coming through high school can look at career choices in a way they couldn't before," McPherson said. "We had no certainty; now we have some certainty."

A community consultation meeting will take place next week in Tulita, he added.

The other three land corporations involved in the agreement are the Tulita, Norman Wells and Tulia District land corporations.

Husky Energy officials and Sahtu leadership met in Tulita in the Northwest Territories on Thursday to sign the deal.

Two wells are expected to be drilled by the winter.