Check against delivery 

Good Morning and thank you for being here.

I’d like to recognize Premier Sandy Silver, Parliamentary Secretary Larry Bagnell and of course our partners with the Yukon, NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines – Anne Turner and Tom Hoefer.

I am happy to be here with each of you for this announcement, and thank you for your efforts to put together this event this morning.

You’ve already heard people talk about the details of this announcement so I won’t get in to that, but what I will say is that progress on projects in the North – that will benefit all Canadians – would not be possible without partnerships and funding commitments like this.

The North is rich in resource potential – including minerals that will fuel the global green economy and support climate change efforts. Mining and exploration is also the biggest source of private sector jobs and income for our residents and we are committed to doing our part to support the health of the sector.

Invest Canada North will help us build a strong case in the global marketplace and set the stage for responsible investments in our future. The North has all the ingredients for investor success, but we need to ensure that message is being heard.

It is fitting that this announcement is being made as we get ready for a few days of busy meetings during Roundup. As with my Northern colleagues, attendance at Roundup is important for our government.

The 19th Legislative Assembly has identified increasing resource exploration and development in the NWT as a priority for our government.

Being in Vancouver this week will no doubt lead to some beneficial discussions with industry, provide opportunities to highlight the important role partnerships with Indigenous governments and communities are and of course, is a chance to reaffirm awareness across industry of our governments political support for and commitment to this sector.

I look forward to seeing how this initiative progresses over the next few years and the role that the Government of the Northwest Territories will play to support its successes.

Thank you.