Mr. Speaker, I rise before the House today to inform you that Cabinet has agreed to begin developing regulations under the NWT Oil and Gas Operations Act that will set out filing requirements for projects involving hydraulic fracturing.

Mr. Speaker, with increased legislative and regulatory authorities, the Government of the Northwest Territories is positioning itself to take a more proactive and direct approach to expanding the territorial economy and to providing long-term and lasting economic growth and opportunities for the people of the NWT.

HAY RIVER (June 2, 2014) – As of June 21, beach attendants will be on the Hay River Territorial park beach, providing supervision and educating beachgoers about the importance of water safety. The Town of Hay River will manage the contract to provide supervision at Hay River Territorial Park beach.

YELLOWKNIFE (June 2, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced today that it will begin the process of developing regulations under the NWT Oil and Gas Operations Act to set out filing requirements for projects involving hydraulic fracturing.

Mr. Speaker, tourism is the Northwest Territories’ largest renewable resource-based sector. Last year, approximately 76,000 tourists visited the territory – one of the highest visitor numbers we have seen in the last decade.

Today I would like to tell you about ways we have and will be improving our territorial parks and the positive outlook for our tourism industry.

ULUHAKTOK (May 29, 2014) – An expansion to the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) hide procurement program to include muskox hides has generated over $10,700 in new revenue for subsistence harvesters in the territory’s Beaufort Delta communities since April 1, 2014.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 26, 2014) – Fred Henne and Blackstone Territorial Parks made the list of “Best Family Campgrounds in Canada” in Today’s Parent Magazine. The article, published online in early May, is a timely piece according to Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 22, 2014) – The grand opening of the NWT Diamond Centre takes place today in Yellowknife, the Diamond Capital of North America™. The Centre, owned and operated by Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd., is an added draw for tourists interested in seeing the journey diamonds make from mine to market. Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay was in attendance for the opening.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 22, 2014) – Opinions on beach front supervision were divided, according to results from a survey asking local residents their thoughts about beach safety at Fred Henne Territorial Park.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Northwest Territories has a very exciting economic story to tell. And I, for one, am excited to be here today to tell you about it. I want to thank all of you today – and to your President, Jason McEvoy for the opportunity to speak with you today, at home.

We are now in a position to take a hands-on approach to growing and building our economy, our Territory and our future.