February 13, 2012 - Mr Speaker, I am happy today to update my colleagues on the huge increases in pelt prices seen at the first wild fur auction of the year.

February 10, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, mining forms a major piece of the economic foundation of the Northwest Territories. Before mining can take place, we rely on the work of prospectors and exploration companies to identify potential mineral development opportunities. Today I am pleased to announce dedicated annual funding of $50,000 for the Prospectors Grubstake Program. This funding will be made available under Industry, Tourism and Investments Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy.

YELLOWKNIFE (January 16, 2012) -- Wild fur pelt prices in the Northwest Territories have surged up to 135% at the first wild fur sale of the season hosted by Fur Harvester’s Auction Inc. in North Bay, Ontario on January 7, 2012. 

The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) program is a fur marketing service provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories. All proceeds from fur sold at auction through the program go directly to the hunter or trapper.

Opening remarks of Deputy Minister Peter Vician (Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment) (check against delivery):

YELLOWKNIFE (January 10, 2012) -- CBC’s newest television series, Arctic Air, will kick off tonight with a premiere screening event at Capitol Cinema in Yellowknife. Hosted by the Northwest Territories Film Commission in partnership with NWT Tourism and the City of Yellowknife, the event is a celebration of the hard work put in by those in the film and media arts industry who helped bring the production to life.

December 14, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, the mining, oil and gas sectors are literally the bedrock of the Northwest Territories economy.  These industries rely on modern, accessible geoscience information to make investment and land use decisions.  The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment partners with the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to deliver geoscience programs for the Northwest Territories.

December 12, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, of all sectors, tourism presents the greatest likelihood of creating economic opportunities in each region, and for each community – especially in the smaller communities.  Today I would like to talk about a few specific initiatives to grow tourism in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

We are now in the first year of Tourism 2015:  New Directions for a Spectacular Future, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ five-year tourism investment plan.

December 9, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to provide Members and Northerners with an update on the Mackenzie Valley Highway to Tuktoyaktuk project.

I am pleased to reiterate a confirmation from the Caucus of the 17th Legislative Assembly identifying the Inuvik-Tukoyaktuk Highway segment as a priority project that will help to strengthen and diversify the Northwest Territories (NWT) economy.

December 8, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, the traditional economy plays a key role in diversifying our territorial economy and providing all communities and regions with opportunities and choices, a key goal of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

December 6, 2011- Minister David Ramsay has taken over as Chair of the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) for the next year.

“There has been significant momentum on reducing barriers to interprovincial trade over the last few years and I will ensure this momentum continues as I take on the role of Chair,” said Minister Ramsay. “I want to thank the Government of Prince Edward Island for all of their efforts and progress as Chair this previous year.”