Opening remarks of Deputy Minister Peter Vician (Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment) (check against delivery):

Welcome, everyone. I am pleased to be here on behalf of Minister David Ramsay and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment tonight. It is great to see the turnout and if tonight is any indication, it isn’t hard to see there is a buzz in the Northwest Territories film industry.

 First, I want to recognize the hard work of many individuals and businesses that assisted with the production of Arctic Air. A lot goes into making a production of this size come to life, so I would especially like to thank our local businesses, residents and tourism operators for their assistance and hospitality.

A very special thank you to CBC and Omni Productions for filming here in the NWT – filming took place here in Yellowknife as well as Behchoko, Fort Resolution, Dettah and N’dilo.  We would also like to thank Pablo Saravanja, the main production assistant on set, as well as Jay Bulckaert, who both acted as location scouts. Lynn Elkin assisted with the casting of extras,most of them local residents. I also want to thank Mikey McBryan and the Buffalo crew for all of their help during filming.

Several production assistants were on hand to help with various aspects of production: Davis Heslop, Tanya Roach, Lesley Johnson, Erin Ballantyne and Ben Morgan.

Thank you to the Yellowknife Dene First Nations, the Tlicho Government, the Department of Transportation and staff at the Yellowknife airport.

And of course I would like to especially thank Camilla MacEachern, our new Associate Film Commissioner with the NWT Film Commission, as well as the City of Yellowknife, for all the support they have provided to the producers of Arctic Air before, during and after filming.

Tonight’s event is a joint effort between the Film Commission, the City of Yellowknife and Northwest Territories Tourism, so a big thanks to everyone involved that helped make tonight happen. I have heard good things about the “Spectacular” marketing campaign being launched by NWT Tourism to run during Arctic Air episodes – I am confident this will translate into more interest, and more visitors, to our beautiful territory.

If I have forgotten anyone, I apologize, but please know that all of your assistance has been appreciated.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has made many positive changes this past year to support and grow the NWT film industry. Part of that was a restructure of the NWT Film Commission staff and the addition of a dedicated Associate Film Commissioner – Camilla – who has been working closely with the film industry.

Also, $100,000 in annual funding was offered for NWT film industry projects through our Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development – or SEED – Policy. And work is underway on a new NWT Film Commission website. Look for the launch this spring!

The Film Commission is also working closely with the newly-formed NWT Professional Media Association, and we look forward to receiving their input on further ways to grow and develop this vibrant sector.

A CBC series with the profile of Arctic Air shows the huge potential of the NWT film industry. And it firmly plants our territory on the radar of production companies as a filming destination. I had the opportunity to visit the set of Arctic Air during filming in Yellowknife and it was great to see the excitement during filming and all of the familiar faces.

I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product on the big screen tonight - I know we’re all anxious to see it so I’ll end my remarks there.

Thanks again for coming tonight and enjoy the show!