Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO)

The NPMO is responsible for providing government-wide leadership in developing a systematic approach for managing northern resource projects and discharging the Crown’s duty to consult that focuses on a whole-of-government perspective. Modeled on NRCan’s Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) whose mandate is south of 60, the NPMO's mandate (north of 60) coordinates the work of federal departments involved in natural resource development projects in the three territories and in the northern offshore.

To improve the effectiveness of the regulatory system in the North, the NPMO will:

• Provide guidance to project proponents with regards to regulatory and consultation requirements as well as outlining the roles and responsibilities of regulatory entities that they need to work with during each phase of the regulatory process.
  
  
• Serve to coordinate the work of federal departments and agencies in the three territories to achieve a more transparent, predictable and timely review process for resource development projects.
  
  
• Facilitate the early engagement of federal departments and agencies and will adopt a whole of government approach to Aboriginal consultations.
  
  
• Monitor the progress of project reviews against agreed-to service standards, post information regarding projects on a tracking database which will be accessible to proponents, government and the public alike and report regularly to Ministers.
  
  

The main functions are to:

• Assist project proponents navigate through the regulatory review and consultation process with clear direction
  
  
• Coordinate the work of federal regulatory departments and agencies during the EA and permitting phases
  
  
• Ensure early, effective and meaningful engagement and consultation with Aboriginal people and communities through a whole-of-government approach
  
  
• Hold the Crown record of consultations
  
  
• Coordinate project oversight, tracking and issue resolution
  
  
• Report periodically to Ministers