Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann issued the following statement congratulating recipients of the 2nd Annual NWT Mining and Exploration (MAX) Awards.

“Responsible resource development is at the core of who we are as a territory. It drives our economy, generates billions in opportunity for local businesses, and provides thousands of residents good middle-class jobs.

Population surveys carried out this summer by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the Bathurst and Bluenose-East caribou herds show caribou numbers continue to decline significantly.

Surveys done in June 2018 indicate the number of animals in the Bathurst herd has dropped from about 20,000 in 2015 to approximately 8,200 in 2018. At its peak in 1986, the size of the herd was estimated at more than 470,000 caribou. The Bluenose-East herd has also declined from approximately 39,000 animals in 2015 to roughly 19,300 caribou.

Earlier this month, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Wally Schumann tabled the 2017-2018 Grants and Contributions Report which details $17.6 million in economic development and diversification investment by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). 

The annual report documents financial contributions made through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) to individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and other organizations, with initiatives supporting economic development during the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

The Department of Industry Tourism and Investment (ITI) celebrated the career of its longest-serving tourism operator last night and saluted the Northwest Territories’ 2018 Parks Hospitality Award winner.

Alex Hall’s recognition for the territories longest-service tourism operator comes as he ends a long, storied career sharing the magic of the Arctic with visitors from around the globe. He started Canoe Arctic in 1971.