Thank you for the invitation to join you again  and for this opportunity to say a few words.  It is something I am always happy and honoured  to do.

Greetings, also, on behalf of Premier Bob McLeod and my colleagues on the Executive Council.

HAY RIVER (October 29)– A new federally-certified egg-grading station for the Northwest Territories officially opened Friday in Hay River.  

In cutting the ribbon to the state-of-the-art facility on Friday, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay noted that its operation will position the NWT to benefit from the National Regulated Egg Marketing Program and the market opportunities it offers.

Mr. Speaker, the traditional economy is an important source of income for many Northwest Territories residents and one of the sectors that this government supports as part of our goal of a diversified economy.  Today I would like to share some good news about our Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs Program.  

Mr. Speaker, our mining, oil and gas industries rely on modern, accessible geoscience information to make investment and land use decisions.  The Northwest Territories Geoscience Office provides governments, industry, Aboriginal organizations and many other stakeholders with up-to-date, easily accessible geoscience information.  This information is key to encouraging investment in mineral and petroleum exploration.

Mr. Speaker, investment in the Northwest Territories’ tourism industry is vital to our goal of a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

Like our resource industry, the tourism industry has many spin-off benefits and is on the brink of tremendous growth.  The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to work to improve the visitor experience and encourage tourism.

Mr. Speaker, Small Business Week is from October 14-20.

Small Business week gives us the opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements that Northwest Territories entrepreneurs make to all our communities.  I would like all of us to take this opportunity to recognize and thank our small business owners and operators.  They keep our economy strong, employ residents and supply us with necessary goods and services.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 17, 2012) – Tourism numbers were high across much of the Northwest Territories this year. Camping was extremely popular in nearly every region, and over 23,000 camping nights were recorded in territorial parks this past summer, based on online reservations. 

YELLOWKNIFE (October 15, 2012) -- Small Business Week is October 14-20 and celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurs and small businesses across Canada and the Northwest Territories.

(check against delivery)

Good afternoon to all of you here today and thank you for the invitation to speak to you on the last day of this conference.

We have a world of opportunity within our grasp – now, more than ever, is the time to pave the way to that opportunity, or the “Pathway to Prosperity” as this event is so aptly themed.

NORMAN WELLS (October 11, 2012) -- The beginning of fall marks the end of harvest season in the Northwest Territories, and this year backyard gardeners and commercial operators alike are enjoying a colourful bounty, with great harvests reported across the territory.