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.
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that the Government of the Northwest Territories hired 308 students this past summer. This was an increase of nine percent from 2011, when 286 students were hired. Of the 308 students hired, 54.6 per cent were Indigenous Aboriginals.
The Summer Student Employment is an investment in our future and our youth. Through this Program, Northern students gain valuable work experience to complement their formal education and test drive the GNWT as a future employer.
• Thank you for inviting me here today to speak with you about what the GNWT has planned for the 2013/14 fiscal year.
• The GNWT’s 2013/14 infrastructure budget marks a return to more historic spending levels after delivering unprecedented infrastructure budgets totaling more than $1.1 billion over the previous four years.
Mr. Speaker, last month I travelled to China with my colleague Mr. Robert Hawkins and business delegates from the Northwest Territories as part of the Council of the Federation Trade Mission. The business representatives from the Northwest Territories were Don Bubar, President and CEO of Avalon Rare Metals, Mark Downey, CEO of Fur Harvesters Auction Limited, Verda Law, the Operations Manager of Yellowknife Tours, Huizhong Yang representing Blachford Lake Lodge, and Yanny Cordero, Project Development Consultant.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update the Members on our fiscal situation.
I tabled the first budget of the 17th Legislative Assembly in May, just five short months ago. Our commitment to protect programs and services has not changed. And our strategy of limiting new expenditure growth to ensure surpluses has become even more important as global economic instability persists.
Mr. Speaker, on October 10th the Government of the Northwest Territories was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2013. This places the GNWT among an exclusive group of Canadian employers who lead their industries in their commitment to employees and their ability to recruit and retain a committed and engaged workforce.
Mr. Speaker, one of the priorities for this Assembly is to strengthen awareness of our Northern identity and uniqueness by promoting our many diverse cultures. I am very pleased to advise this House that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment held a ceremony today to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people from all across this territory have made to keep our cultures vibrant and alive.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Members back to the continuation of the Third Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly. I hope everybody was able to enjoy some time with family and friends this summer and has come back rested and ready to continue working on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. It has been almost one year since we took office. As we get started with this Session, I would like to look back at some of the things we have accomplished together this past year.
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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.
