HOUSTON (May 5, 2015)- Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here today, and to participate in this panel discussion on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, in Canada’s Arctic.

My comments today are titled “Unlocking OUR potential”. They could as easily be titled “Unlocking YOUR potential”.

You may ask how a small Canadian territory can presume to talk about unlocking the potential of the international oil and gas industry.

That is the question that I would like to address for you today.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 6, 2015) – Nearly 1,200 residents have participated in 19 morel mushroom information sessions hosted by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI).

YELLOWKNIFE (May 1, 2015) – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay congratulates BBE Expediting Ltd. and Global Storm IT for being recognized with Frozen Globe Awards at the 2015 award gala held Thursday in Iqaluit. Annie Steen of BBE Expediting Ltd. in Yellowknife accepted the award for Best Aboriginal Business and Kirby Marshall of Global Storm IT took home the award for NWT Entrepreneur of the Year.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 30, 2015) – Northwest Territories (NWT) youth now have an opportunity to gain industry skills and hands-on experience by working directly with mentors in the NWT’s tourism industry.

The Youth Mentorship for Tourism Program, launched today by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, will match NWT students and young professionals with experienced tourism operators and entrepreneurs and, where possible, result in full-time employment in the NWT’s exciting tourism sector.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 27, 2015) – Jiggling Lemon Trout and Poor Man’s Lobster are two of the seven new recipes available in Hay River and Yellowknife stores this week for residents shopping for Great Slave Lake fish. 

The promotional recipe cards are a part of a broader Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) initiative to strengthen the commercial market for NWT fish.  They were selected from almost 100 submitted by residents in January as part of a promotion celebrating the launch of the Fresh Fish from Great Slave Lake brand. 

YELLOWKNIFE (April 17, 2015) – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay congratulates newly-elected President of the NWT Chamber of Commerce Kevin Diebold and the new Board of Directors and looks forward to working with them on shared priorities, including  important discussions to address ‎ pressure points impacting the NWT private sector. 

YELLOWKNIFE (April 17, 2015) – A Smithsonian Channel television series is profiling the unique and spectacular landscape that residents along the Arctic coast call home. 

Now in its fourth season, Canada Over the Edge is an aerial documentary series exploring Canada’s borders and coastlines. Each hour-long program features high-definition footage and interviews with residents about their communities and history. 

YELLOWKNIFE (April 14, 2015) – Residents and visitors can begin booking their favourite Northwest Territories (NWT) campsites at nwtparks.ca beginning at 10:00am tomorrow.

The GNWT’s online reservation system allows campers to select and book campsites in 16 campgrounds across the NWT.   In addition to listing campsite costs and power options, the online reservation system includes campground maps, photos and recommended unit sizes to facilitate a smooth and hassle-free booking.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 7, 2015) – Students across the Northwest Territories (NWT) will get an opportunity for some hands-on learning when it comes to working with fur. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) is donating boxes of fur trimmings received through its partnership with the Canadian Fur Harvesters Association to NWT schools.

“We have seen the positive impact that traditional arts and crafts have in the Northwest Territories and this is an opportunity to instill, support and encourage these activities amongst our youth,” said Minister of ITI David Ramsay.

YELLOWKNIFE (April 1, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is proposing new regulations that set out the filing requirements for companies planning hydraulic fracturing operations in the NWT.

They require industry to meet additional requirements related to baseline surface and groundwater information, public disclosure, air quality, and enhanced reporting.