Good morning everyone. As Premier of the Northwest Territories I am proud to be here to represent the people of the NWT and I thank you for the invitation to participate in this forum on environmental protection in the fur industry.

I would like to thank Mr. Steven Hurwitz : Chairman of the International Fur Forum, Madam Deng Xiaolan, Honourary Chairwoman of International Fur Forum in the Asia Region, and Mr. Mike He, Chairman of Young Entrepreneurs Fur Committee. I would also like to recognize the Fur Harvesters Auction, and their CEO Mr. Mark Downey.

In a few moments, I will ask Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay to give a presentation on the history of the Canadian fur industry and how important it is, particularly to the Northwest Territories in Canada’s Arctic.

But first I want to tell you a bit about my personal experience with trapping and the northern environment. I was born and raised in a small Aboriginal fur-harvesting community in the NWT. I grew up hunting and trapping with my family. I also grew up playing ice hockey but that’s a story for another time. I am a former Board member of the Fur Institute of Canada and I was on the Canadian team that negotiated Humane Trapping standards between Canada, the USA, Russia and the European Union.

I have witnessed the positive changes made in the fur industry over the decades and I am pleased to say that the NWT has a commitment to not only a sustainable fur harvest but also to the management of all wildlife populations and to responsible resource development overall. All wild fur in the NWT for sale at auction must pass our humane trapping standards that meet or exceed those set at the international level.

The land is an integral part of the history and culture of Aboriginal people in the NWT. For us, hunting and trapping is not only a means of income or survival, it is also a way of connecting us to our traditional beliefs, those we share with our Elders and our ancestors before us.

This fur is harvested and prepared by Aboriginal people from the Northwest Territories.  It is an important practice not only because it keeps traditions alive, but also because it plays an important role in financially supporting families and communities. Trapping is a way of life for many people.

Creating prosperity for its Arctic people by promoting responsible development of our immense natural resources and supporting traditional ways of life, like fur harvesting, is a priority during Canada’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council that my government fully supports.

I know the importance of fur harvesting in the Northwest Territories and in Canada, and I’m honoured to have an opportunity such as this to promote our luxurious wild fur across the world.

Now I would like to invite Minister Ramsay to give a presentation on the Canadian fur industry and its importance to the Northwest Territories.

Thank you.