(Date of speech: May 1, 2012.)

(Check against delivery.)

Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for the invitation to join you this morning.

I am in Houston this week in my capacity as the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for Canada’s Northwest Territories.  During my time here, I want to highlight our tremendous petroleum potential and answer any questions you may have. But before I get into that, I would like to give you a bit of background on the Territory for those of you who may be unfamiliar with it.

April 30, 2012

DETTAH (April 23, 2012) -- Over 70 tourism operators, entrepreneurs, government representatives, guest speakers and industry stakeholders attended the Aboriginal Tourism Forum to define, set priorities, and set the stage for future community engagement in the development of an Aboriginal tourism sector in the NWT.

(check against delivery)

April 18, 2012 - I appreciate this opportunity to address the Northern Air Transport Association’s 36th Annual General Meeting. Aviation is an important industry in the North, one that requires a continuous dialogue between regulators, airport operators, and the aviation industry. Thank you for providing that forum – we all benefit from continuing our conversation.

(check against delivery)

April 3, 2012 - Thank you for that introduction, and good morning.

First off, I want to thank Chief Ed Sangris and Chief Ted Tsetta and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for hosting us on your traditional Chief Drygeese Territory.  It is a pleasure to be here, and to have this opportunity to welcome you all here today, on this gorgeous spring day here in Dettah.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (April 2, 2012) -- Over $880,000 worth of Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) were sold at a wild fur sale hosted by Fur Harvester's Auction Inc. on March 22, 2012, bringing total GMVF sales this year to over one million dollars.

Demand for NWT furs increased again this year, particularly from buyers in Russia and China. An NWT marten pelt went for an unprecedented $380 and a lynx for $400, the top auction prices for these species against all others from across Canada and the Northern US.

(check against delivery) - March 19, 2012

Bonsoir et bienvenue à nos amis du Québec aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Cela nous fait plaisir de vous voir ici.

J’espère que votre visite, à date,  vous donne une idée des richesses que nous avons  à offrir. Comme vous le savez nous sommes ensemble pour discuter du potentiel incroyable des Territoires du Nord-Ouest.  Et, de voir comment, grâce à votre aide, nous pourrons libérer ce potentiel.

YELLOWKNIFE (March 14, 2012) - Promoting the NWT's vast mineral base and highlighting opportunities for prospecting and investment in the NWT mining sector was the focus for Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay last week at the 2012 Prospectors and Developers Convention (PDAC) in Toronto.

Minister Ramsay was accompanied by Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche and Hay River North MLA Robert Bouchard. He met with potential investors and companies currently exploring or seeking approvals to develop new mines in the NWT.

SPOTLIGHT ON NORTHERN INFRASTRUCTURE

THE MACKENZIE GAS PROJECT AND THE NEXT STEPS IN ARCTIC OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT