YELLOWKNIFE (December 6, 2012) - Public engagement and discussion in the development of a comprehensive economic opportunities strategy for the Northwest Territories begins this month.
Once completed, Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister, David Ramsay, says the strategy will serve as a launch pad to strengthen and diversify the NWT economy.
“It will allow our territory to keep pace with the incredible growth potential that exists and will ensure we are positioned to guide and manage this investment and growth,” said Ramsay, “Now is the time for us to envision a vibrant and diversified economy, one that strikes a healthy balance between new and traditional economies.”
Development of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy is being guided, in partnership, by the Northern Aboriginal Business Association (NABA), the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC), the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the GNWT.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to be working with our partners on this Strategy to examine economic development opportunities in the Northwest Territories,” said Minister Aqlukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council. “We recognize the tremendous potential of the North, and this initiative seeks to strengthen business and community connections, so that Northerners can participate in and benefit from the economic success of the territory."
“Aboriginal businesses play a vital role in the North’s economic development,” said Darrell Beaulieu, Director of NABA. “Some of our members are among the largest employers in the NWT. Aboriginal businesses have successfully engaged resource companies for the past decade. To build on this success, we need to identify new opportunities for investment and growth. This Strategy will be a key part of that.”
“This engagement and discussion process will allow both the private and public sector to identify business opportunities that could lead to increased investment in the NWT,” said President of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, Hughie Graham. “This is great news for the business community. We’re pleased to be a part of it.”
“The input and involvement of communities and their representatives in the development of this Strategy is ensuring that it will be applicable to all regions of the NWT,” said NWTAC President Mervin Gruben. “A successful strategy will need to reflect the views of all NWT stakeholders and serve to build capacity and self-sufficiency in our communities and for our people.”
NWT residents, businesses and key stakeholders are invited to contribute to a Territory-wide discussion on economic opportunities in a number of formats and forums.
An advisory panel is to travel to the communities to collect input and comments suggested during public and stakeholder meetings. The advice and recommendations developed will guide the eventual drafting of a new Economic Opportunities Strategy for the NWT.
The first public and stakeholder meetings are scheduled for Fort Smith on December 11-12, 2012 and Hay River on December 12-13, 2012. Future meetings are planned in Fort Simpson, Norman Wells, Inuvik, Behchokö, and Yellowknife.
The development of an Economic Development Strategy for the NWT was identified by the 17th Legislative Assembly as a key element to supporting its priority: to Strengthen and Diversify the Northwest Territories Economy.
For more information contact:
Drew Williams
Manager, Communications and Engagement, NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy
Industry, Tourism and Investment
(867) 873-7272
Christina Gray
Communications Advisor,
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
(867) 766-8435
Darrell Beaulieu
Director
Northern Aboriginal Business Association (NABA)
(867) 873-6222
Hughie Graham
President
NWT Chamber of Commerce
(867) 920-9505
Mervin Gruben
President
NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC)
(867) 873-8359
Backgrounder - Advisory Panel
To facilitate the engagement and discussion of the Economic Opportunities Strategy, a four-person Advisory Panel has been appointed to: gain feedback and comments from the public on economic opportunities and constraints; develop and recommend themes or major areas of interest as they relate to economic opportunities identified throughout the engagement phase; and provide advice in recommending a new “Economic Opportunities Strategy”.
The panel is comprised of: Panel Chair, former NWT Premier Joe Handley of Yellowknife, NWT; Ms. Heather Bourassa, NWT business owner from Fort Good Hope, NWT; Mr. Gordon Van Tighem, former mayor of Yellowknife, NWT; and Mr. Rory Campbell, Alberta’s former Deputy Minister of Economic Development, and Agriculture and Food.
Biographies
Mr. Joseph L. Handley: Mr. Handley joined the Government of the NWT in 1985 and served as Deputy Minister in a wide number of portfolios including: Education; Renewable Resources; the NWT Housing Corporation; Transportation; and Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development. In 1999, he was elected to the NWT Legislature and became Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board, Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Minister of Transportation, and Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. In 2003, Mr. Handley was re-elected to the Legislature and was Premier until he retired from territorial politics in 2007.
Mr. Gordon Van Tighem - Born in Calgary, Alberta, Mr. Van Tighem is a graduate of the University of Manitoba. He moved to Yellowknife from Edmonton in 1992 with his family to work in a senior position at a bank. In October 2000, Mr. Van Tighem was elected Mayor for Yellowknife and held this position until his retirement in 2012.
Ms. Heather Bourassa: Ms. Bourassa was born and raised in the NWT. The family business, Arctic Circle Enterprises Ltd., was formed in 1998 and received its first contract in 2000. Besides working as a full-time co-owner of the company, Ms. Bourassa also takes part in many community boards. She has served as a Director of the Yamoga Land Corporation for five years and President for one year. Ms. Bourassa also held a position as Director of North-Wright Airways, and mostly recently as the Chair for the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board.
Mr. Rory Campbell: Mr. Campbell began his political career as a Cabinet Committee Secretary in the Alberta Premier's office in 1979. Over the next three decades, he held progressive leadership roles in a wide range of Alberta Ministries, before becoming Alberta's Deputy Minister of Economic Development in 2003, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food in 2006. Mr. Campbell retired from the Government of Alberta in 2008.