Mr. Speaker, the 2014 forest fire season is officially over.
This year, a total of 3.4 million hectares of forested land were affected by 385 wildland fires. This was composed of six reported fires in the Inuvik Region, 32 in the Sahtu Region, 52 in the Dehcho Region, 143 in the North Slave Region, and 152 in the South Slave Region. An estimated 60 million dollars were spent fighting fires in the 2014 forest fire season.
Mr. Speaker, in the 2013/2014 fiscal year, there was a tremendous increase in the number of visitors and visitor spending in the Northwest Territories, and today I would like to share details of this exciting growth with Members.
Last year, we welcomed over 90,000 visitors. This is our highest number of visitors in the last decade and an increase of 20 percent from the previous year.
Visitor spending also rose by 24 percent to $132.5 million.
Mr. Speaker, I want to assure you that I have been listening carefully to Members during the recent debate around Junior Kindergarten. I also want to assure you that the Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to the principle that focused, targeted support during their first years of life will help our children reach their full potential and become healthy, educated, successful adults. Our government has introduced Junior Kindergarten, a program designed to achieve just this result, Mr. Speaker, and have already rolled it out successfully to 23 communities.
Mr. Speaker, supporting a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices is one of the main purposes of Forest Management Agreements.
The first two agreements were signed this year with Timberworks in Fort Resolution and Digaa Enterprises in Fort Providence, jointly owned Aboriginal development corporations in each community.
Timberworks is owned by the Deninu Kue First Nation and the Fort Resolution Métis Council and Digaa Enterprises is owned by the Deh Gáh Got’ie First Nation and the Fort Providence Métis Council
Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, we have seen remarkable political development in the Northwest Territories. Land, resources and self-government agreements are being negotiated and settled. In April we concluded devolution and have seen the smooth transition of federal powers to the Government of the Northwest Territories. As a result of these efforts, northerners have taken greater control over their social, economic and political destinies, have found new ways to work together and have greater national prominence than ever before.
Mr. Speaker, we are just over 16 months away from the next Arctic Winter Games being hosted in Nuuk, Greenland. As you know, there are six sports which Greenland is unable to host (Dog Mushing, Gymnastics, Curling, Speed Skating, Figure Skating and Midget Hockey). Today, I am pleased to announce that Whitehorse, Yukon has agreed to host an “alternative multi-sport event”; the Arctic X Games, to coincide with the 2016 Arctic Winter Games in Greenland.
Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2013 Annual Report. This report sets out some information on the history of the Coroner’s service, the role and structure of the office and some information on their work in 2013. This report reminds us that in the Northwest Territories, we have a number of dedicated volunteers who are deeply committed to assisting those in their communities at times of tragedy. They work with circumstances and situations that most of us are unable or unwilling to face.
Mr. Speaker, now that the Government of the Northwest Territories is responsible for administering the territory’s onshore petroleum resources, we are looking ahead to effectively plan and manage the NWT’s world-class oil and gas potential for the benefit of all residents.
To encourage future exploration and responsible development of oil and gas reserves in the territory, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is preparing for its first-ever Call Cycle for Oil and Gas Exploration Rights.
Mr. Speaker, the safety of Northerners is a goal shared by Members of this Assembly and the Department of Transportation as we strive to build safe communities and a safe transportation system, in all modes, for the benefit of our residents.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands is responsible for managing and administering Territorial lands and Commissioner’s land. Territorial lands are public lands formerly administered by the federal government and devolved to the Government of the Northwest Territories on April 1st, 2014. Commissioner’s land is public land already under the GNWT’s jurisdiction and formerly administered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Prior to April 1st of this year, the GNWT was only responsible for .02% of the land mass, or roughly 2700 square kilometers.
