YELLOWKNIFE (June 2, 2015) – The Northwest Territories diamond industry took the stage at the industry’s premiere trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada this past weekend.

Mr. Speaker, this is National Tourism Week and across the NWT we are celebrating with events ranging from the “Be A Tourist In Your Own Town” promotion here in Yellowknife to community picnics, film screenings, open houses, and complimentary tours of local attractions.

There is much to celebrate and I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the recent successes and milestones this vibrant sector of our economy has achieved.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 29, 2015) – A wide variety of events and activities are taking place across the Northwest Territories in celebration of National Tourism Week, which runs from May 31 to June 6 this year.

In the 2013/14 fiscal year, the tourism industry contributed a staggering $132.5 million in visitor revenue and attracted 90,000 visitors from around the world – the highest number of visitors in a decade.

Mr. Speaker, economic opportunity comes in all shapes and forms. This summer, it is coming to the Northwest Territories in the form of morel mushrooms – a delicacy highly sought after by food markets around the world.

Ultimately, Mother Nature will have the largest role in determining the success of our harvest. However, under the right conditions, we anticipate this harvest could generate as much as ten million dollars in the NWT this summer.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 28, 2015) – The Slave River Rapids, wildlife viewing opportunities and a diverse landscape have earned Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park near Fort Smith recognition by Explore Magazine as one of the Top 25 Campsites in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, resource development has long been the foundation of our territory’s economy.

Our rich mining and oil and gas sectors have generated significant employment, skill development and wealth. Vital economic infrastructure that continues to advance economic growth in other sectors was, in many cases, first built to support resource development.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 27, 2015) – Consistent with the fire ban implemented by the City of Yellowknife, a fire ban is in effect for Fred Henne and Yellowknife River Territorial Parks effective immediately.

Use of camp stoves and enclosed barbecues is permitted. Any device that uses propane to supply a burner for heating and or cooking is also permitted; such devices must be used within or on top of a fire pit in a campsite or wayside park.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 15, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is inviting residents to talk about ways to grow the NWT’s agriculture sector.

A series of information-gathering sessions are being held in regional centres to help guide the development of an agriculture strategy for the NWT and to ensure it reflects the priorities of NWT residents and creates the economic opportunities this growing sector can provide for them.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2015) – The men and women who will staff many of the NWT’s visitor information centres met last week in Inuvik to participate in interactive training.  The two-day skills development workshop included discussions and training on customer service, centre operations and the creation of ongoing interpretive programs for visitors.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2015) – The 2015 camping season will officially begin this weekend as most Northwest Territories campgrounds open to the public.  Parks in the Beaufort-Delta Region near Inuvik will open on Monday, June 1st.