YELLOWKNIFE (October 15, 2015) – Community engagements this summer to inform the drafting of a new NWT Agriculture Strategy show the industry is celebrating a resurgence in the territory and its potential as a growth sector increasingly realized.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay released a report last week documenting what the department learned from approximately 200 individuals during public engagements, site visits and interviews in 10 NWT communities.

Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living has been identified as a significant concern for Northwest Territories residents.  The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to addressing the many factors that contribute to this challenge, including the high cost of food in many communities.

WHITEHORSE—Yukon and N.W.T. businesses and organizations joined delegates from both territorial governments and the cities of Whitehorse and Yellowknife for networking sessions and meetings last week to discuss areas of cooperation between both territories.

Representatives included: Yukon Minister of Tourism and Culture Elaine Taylor; N.W.T. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay; City of Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis; and City of Yellowknife Mayor Mark Heyck.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 2, 2015) - Community leaders, Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) program delivery personnel and individuals leading community agricultural and small scale food initiatives in the North Slave Region will come together October 5 - 6 for an Agricultural Awareness and Planning Workshop in Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to report positive results and trends from this government’s investments and initiatives in the NWT tourism sector.

The official tourism statistics for the last fiscal year will be available in late October but the preliminary results are promising.  We are seeing a broad spectrum of interest in the tourism activities available in the Northwest Territories. In particular, the segment of visitors from China, who are commonly associated with aurora viewing, are exploring well beyond this sector.  

YELLOWKNIFE (September 30, 2015) – The NWT Film Commission is proud to be a sponsor of the 9^th annual Yellowknife International Film Festival (YKIFF), which opened Monday. 

Founded and coordinated by Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP), the week-long event will feature artist workshops and professional development opportunities, in addition to the screening of 39 feature and short films from around the world, including 11 from the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, there is immense oil and gas potential in our territory and this government is committed to establishing the tools and resources with which it can be developed in a balanced and responsible way.  We are also committed to ensuring that Members of the Legislative Assembly, the public, Aboriginal leaders, and other stakeholders have a role to play in the development of those tools and resources.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 25, 2015) – Following a harvesting season of about 60 days it is estimated that between 280,000 and 300,000 lbs. of morel mushrooms were harvested in the North Slave Region and the area north of Fort Providence this summer.

Harvest numbers for the rest of the South Slave and Dehcho Regions are still being assessed. 

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Good afternoon, everyone, it is great to be here today.

Thank you to the NWT Chamber of Commerce for hosting such a superb event and for the invitation to participate. The Chamber continues to be a valuable contributor to our efforts to create a sustainable and prosperous mineral industry for our territory.  

I am looking forwarding to Pierre Gratton’s presentation on behalf of the Mining Association of Canada and believe it will give us much food for thought. 

YELLOWKNIFE (September 17, 2015) – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay confirmed today that discussions on proposed hydraulic fracturing filing regulations will continue in the next Legislative Assembly.