Mr. Speaker, last month I accompanied Premier Bob McLeod and Mr. Robert Hawkins, Member for Yellowknife Centre, along with delegates from our Territory’s business community on a trade mission to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The business representatives from the Northwest Territories were Mr. Robin Goad, President of Fortune Minerals; Ms. Verda Law, Yellowknife Tours; Mr. Deepak Kumar, Deepak International; Mr. Fernando Alvarez, President of Jacques Cartier Clothier; and Mr. Mark Downey, CEO of Fur Harvesters Auction Ltd.

This news release is being distributed on behalf of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

Government of Canada invests in NWT traditional economy

YELLOWKNIFE (January 28, 2014) – Resident NWT Olympians Michael Gilday and Brendan Green will be representing more than their sport and country at the Sochi Olympics. They will also be real-life models for the NWT’s rich cultural heritage and beautifully-crafted traditional arts and fine crafts.

In recognition of their personal and athletic accomplishments in making the Canadian Olympic team, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has gifted both athletes with traditionally-beaded moose hide gloves and slippers to wear outside of their competitions.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 27, 2014) – The Northern business community came together last week to celebrate the best and brightest at the Frozen Globe Awards held in Whitehorse, YT.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay offered his congratulations to NWT businesses recognized with nominations and awards.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 23, 2014) – Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay, and MLA Robert Hawkins promoted the NWT as a spectacular tourism destination in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong during the China Trade Mission.

HAY RIVER (January 21, 2014) – Recommendations to make Hay River Territorial Park beach safer have been released by the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. The Lifesaving Society performed a comprehensive aquatic safety audit on the unsupervised waterfront beach at Hay River Territorial Park in the summer of 2013. The purpose of the audit was to analyze and provide recommendations to maximize the safety of beach users.

Good morning and thanks for meeting with us today.  We have just come from Beijing and I have to say, I’m really pleased to see so much fur and fur trim on the high-end garments we have been seeing on the streets of China during our visit.  The heart of fashion really does beat strong here.

I would like to open our roundtable discussion here today by giving you a bit of information about tourism in Canada and the Northwest Territories.

Canada is a huge country with many diverse regions offering great tourism opportunities for Chinese people. Wherever you are in Canada, our vast wilderness and major cities alike offer the traveler the chance to explore, discover and experience something new every time. Whether you are interested in arts and culture, fine dining or outdoor adventure, Canada has got it.

Thank you to Consul General Rick Savone and the members of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, for hosting us today. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

It is my pleasure to be here in Shanghai to speak on behalf of the Northwest Territories during our Trade Mission to China. Events like these provide us with an opportunity to continue to expand our networks and deepen our productive relationships in an effort to develop trade and investment opportunities between Canada and China.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 16, 2014) – Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay promoted the NWT fur industry at the Beijing Fur Fair and International Fur Trade Federation Forum this week during their China Trade Mission, along with MLA Robert Hawkins and members of the NWT delegation.