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Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Set to Host Northern Housing Forum, 2010 in Inuvik, N.W.T.

Posted by Moishe Alexander

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) is pleased to welcome delegates from around the world to share best practices in circumpolar housing construction at the Northern Housing Forum to be held in Inuvik from March 22 to 25, 2010.

“The Forum will highlight northern housing research, design and construction, while fostering relationships with others who deliver housing in northern climates. It will provide an opportunity for stakeholders from across the circumpolar world to share the designs and technologies that are appropriate for our northern environment,” said the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister Responsible for the NWTHC.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support the Northern Housing Forum as part of our commitment to sustainable housing and communities,” said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Building on innovations such as the Northern Sustainable House initiative will enable us to find solutions to the unique housing challenges of Canada’s arctic communities.”

Dynamic keynote speakers, panel members and delegates from around the world will come together in Inuvik to participate in the Northern Housing Forum. Experts from Sweden, Finland, Norway, the United States and Canada will challenge delegates to envision new ways to improve energy efficiencies, housing design and delivery.

Scheduled panels will cover topics ranging from climate change and adaptive strategies for the North, strategies examining existing buildings and how they can be made more energy-efficient, costing lessons, capacity building in arctic communities and much more. There will be a focus on emerging technologies and new approaches to the creation of real-world sustainable, affordable and highly efficient buildings that exceed expectations in a northern climate.

Minister McLeod added that the NWTHC is committed to constructing homes that meet the most stringent energy-efficiency standards, while remaining affordable.

“To maintain the highest standards, we must have the very best information. It’s by sharing experiences from architects, researchers, contractors, tradespersons and other housing professionals from across northern Canada and other arctic nations that we can learn what is working in the field and what can be applied in the Northwest Territories to the sustainable housing future we are building for northerners.”