Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell welcomed Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod to Juneau on Tuesday. The two leaders met to discuss the commonalities between Alaska and the Northwest Territories.

“Exchanges with leaders of Canada’s provinces are important and welcome,” Governor Parnell said. “Our state and the territory both have vast natural resources; significant infrastructure needs to develop those resources to the benefit of our residents, and, most importantly, the strong spirit of the people of our respective homes.”

Following the meeting with the governor, Premier McLeod met with senior members of the administration, including Senior Rural Affairs Advisor John Moller, and Commissioner of the Department of the Commerce, Community and Economic Development Susan Bell.

This is Premier McLeod’s first trip to Alaska as premier. The Northwest Territories became part of Canada in the 19th century, but today’s borders were formed in 1999 with the creation of neighboring Nunavut. The Northwest Territories is home to 41,000 people and covers 456,792 square miles.