The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has approved Diamonds de Canada Ltd. as an Approved NWT Diamond Manufacturer (ANDM).

The agreement ensures that Diamonds de Canada has access to NWT-mined rough diamonds, and that their manufacturing activities, which include cutting and polishing, will occur in the NWT.  The company has entered into a monitoring agreement with the GNWT as required under the GNWT’s Diamond Policy Framework.

Diamonds de Canada is a new company led by diamond industry veterans Mr. Benjamin King and Mr. Michael Indelicato.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) today announced new engagements with stakeholders and partners to help advance a Northwest Territories (NWT) Knowledge Economy (KE).

NWT groups and residents have the opportunity to explore and contribute to the discussion around the KE through a number of engagements, an online survey and an ideas platform.

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It is a pleasure to address you today as part of this long running event.

It would of course be far more enjoyable for each of us to be under the midnight sun in person. Instead, I have turned my mind to next year and to the message I can deliver at what appears to be a turning point in this stage of response to global pandemic. If the trends continue, next year we will all be able to gather once again in Inuvik, in the Beaufort Delta – at the height of the summer solstice and speak and meet with you in person.

Today, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) Caroline Wawzonek announced two new support programs for licensed tourism operators and licensed accommodation providers across the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The two programs, the Pandemic Relief Extension Program (PREP) for tourism operators, and the Supplement for Tourism Accommodation Relief (STAR) Program for accommodation providers who meet the criteria, were developed to support two of the hardest hit sectors impacted by the pandemic.

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Mr. Speaker, today’s mineral resource industry in the NWT is innovative, collaborative, environmentally conscious, and has the highest standards of safety. It collaborates with the GNWT and with Indigenous communities to enhance resources for capacity building and supports Indigenous participation in, and benefits received from, the mining industry.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), today announced Rolling, Action! The Next 5 Years: NWT Film and Media Sector Strategy and Action Plan (2021-2026) with a new Producers Incentive Pilot Program (PIPP) to continue developing and investing in the Northwest Territories’ (NWT) Film and Media sector.

The Northwest Territories (NWT) Arts Council is looking for three individuals with a passion for the arts, culture and heritage of the NWT to join its board for a two-year term starting September 1, 2021.

The deadline to apply is June 30, 2021.

The council promotes the arts in the NWT and provides recommendations to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) on financial awards for creative artistic projects in the visual, literary, media and performing arts, and on issues and policies associated with the arts and artists.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI),  launched a new NWT Parks logo today in a video montage of parks and landscapes reflecting the beauty and excitement of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The new NWT Parks logo combines unique elements found in the NWT, including the boreal forest and its waters, the midnight sun, the aurora, and the vibrant colours across the north.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has renewed its Polar Bear Diamonds™ trademark as it works to re-introduce branded Polar Bear Diamonds™ into the global marketplace.

The new government-certified Polar Bear brand reflects a strong and forward-looking bear in a dynamic stance communicating the confidence and pride of wearing an authentic Northwest Territories diamond.

Arctic Canada Construction Ltd. (Arcan) in Hay River has been awarded the design-build contract to construct a new fish processing plant in Hay River. 

The plant, which will be managed by the Tu Cho Cooperative, is central to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)’s plans to restore the Great Slave Lake commercial fishery as outlined in the 2017 Strategy for Revitalizing the Great Slave Lake Commercial Fishery.