Mr. Speaker, the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy, or EOS, is the most informed approach ever taken to advancing economic development in the NWT. Since the Implementation Plan for the EOS was tabled last October, we have been working hard to put the recommendations and initiatives outlined in the Strategy in place.

Today I would like to update Members on the progress we are making on a few of these initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has the potential to be an energy giant. We are home to world-class oil and gas reserves in the Deh Cho, Central Mackenzie, Mackenzie Delta, and Beaufort Sea. This territory sits atop an estimated 80 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and seven billion barrels of oil. Estimates indicate the Arctic contains one-fifth of the world’s untapped oil and gas reserves.

Mr. Speaker, the resource sector is the single largest contributor to the NWT economy. Mining has created more than 28,000 jobs and produced $46 billion in minerals since the early 1930s. Those numbers help to tell the story of our success in this industry, which has provided residents and businesses across the territory with opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, the tourism industry offers opportunities for economic development throughout all regions of the Northwest Territories, and federal funding can support this growing and vibrant industry. 

YELLOWKNIFE (February 12, 2015) – A new pilot program that aims to increase film production activity in the Northwest Territories has been created. 

The NWT Film Rebate Program was developed by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) in response to an Economic Opportunities Strategy (EOS) recommendation. The EOS identified the film sector as a priority area in which Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) investment could create viable economic opportunities. 

Mr. Speaker, Great Slave Lake is the every-day workplace of a proud community of northern fishers who work tirelessly to harvest some of the best tasting fish in Canada – and deliver it year round to the marketplace. 

Great Slave Lake represents a huge and sustainable resource. The product offerings are excellent and the stock is healthy and well managed.  Yet, most of the fish available to NWT residents in grocery stores and on restaurant menus is imported from southern Canada or elsewhere. 

Mr. Speaker, in January the Premier and I led a second trade mission of NWT business representatives and government officials to China and Japan. Our delegation included NWT tour operators, partners in our fur and fashion industries, and a member of our territory’s diamond manufacturing sector Ms. Verda Law, of Yellowknife Tours, Mr. Ragnar Wesstrom of Enodah Wilderness Adventures, Mr. Hideo Nagatani from Aurora Village, Mr. Andrew Stanley, a trapper from Hay River, Mr. Fernando Alvarez of Jacques Cartier Clothing and Mr. Dylan Dix of Crossworks Manufacturing. 

Delivered on February 17, 2015

Mr. Speaker, last year’s extreme forest fires burned an area of over three million hectares. While it was likely the worst fire season we’ve ever had, wildland fires are a natural occurrence, leading to forest and wildlife renewal.

One early sign of renewal is the appearance of morel mushrooms, and we anticipate a bumper crop this summer.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 30, 2015) – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay today issued a call for bids for exploration licences for two parcels of land located in the in the Central Mackenzie Valley.

VANCOUVER (January 28, 2015) — Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay announced that a new Northwest Territories’ Mining Industry Advisory Board (MIAB) is being established to help to ensure that the territory is an attractive place to invest in mineral exploration and discover new mines. The announcement was made at the AME BC Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver.