Premier Caroline Cochrane announced today that Minister Katrina Nokleby’s appointments as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister of Infrastructure have been revoked effective immediately.

Minister R.J. Simpson will assume responsibility as Minister of Infrastructure, while Minister Shane Thompson will assume responsibility as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Minister Nokleby’s appointment as a Member of the Executive Council remains in effect.

Joyce Taylor has been named as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC).

BDIC is an accountable and independent Crown Corporation of the Government of the Northwest Territories providing resources for the economic development of the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), in partnership with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), has launched a funding program that will help the Northwest Territories tourism industry recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

ITI regional offices will start accepting applications for the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism (GRIT) Fund, a $1.5 million, one-time program cost-shared equally by ITI and CanNor.  ITI will deliver the program on behalf of both governments.

Following a revision of the Mining Incentive Program (MIP) to enhance support and emphasis on public safety, the Department of Industry Tourism and Investment (ITI) has selected 20 mineral exploration projects to receive program funding for 2020-21. 

The 20 projects will benefit from the $1 million in total program funding. The successful projects were selected from 28 applications, which marks a continuing interest in NWT mineral exploration despite the significant challenges faced this year by the industry.

As the Department of Industry, Tourism, and Investment (ITI) continues to adjust its program delivery to reflect the COVID-19 environment, the Tourism Business Mentorships will be delivered virtually this year.

The Tourism Business Mentorship Program provides opportunities and resources for interested NWT tourism operators (Mentees) to learn and benefit from experienced industry professionals (Mentors). 

Changes to two laws governing activities in the oil and gas sector in the Northwest Territories are now in force.

Amendments to the Petroleum Resources Act and Oil and Gas Operations Act, including stronger transparency and accountability provisions, were passed in August 2019 by the 18^th Legislative Assembly after an extensive public consultation process.

With guidelines and communications materials now in place, these best-practice amendments took effect on July 23, 2020.

The Government of the Northwest Territories and the Business Advisory Council have agreed on Terms of Reference to guide the work of the Council moving forward.

The Business Advisory Council’s mandate will be twofold:

The Department of Industry Tourism and Investment and Tu Cho Fishers Cooperative have signed an agreement confirming their commitment to the revitalization of the Great Slave Lake Fishing Industry.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) was signed by Minister of ITI Katrina Nokleby and Cameron Beaverbones of the Tu Cho Fishers Cooperative.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) today released data it has gathered from a March 2020 survey of Tourism operators and a broader survey of NWT businesses in April/May as part of its ongoing work to better understand the effects of COVID-19 on the NWT and how best to respond to them.

The fire ban in effect for the Fred Henne and Yellowknife River Territorial Parks is lifted.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment reminds park users to remain cautious and follow all fire safety procedures.

Please use only approved fire pits; and ensure all fires are extinguished before leaving your campsite.

Information about fire bans and territorial park closures can be found under alerts on Industry, Tourism and Investment’s NWT Parks website.