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I am very pleased to announce that the Government of the Northwest Territories has been selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. This prestigious competition recognizes private and public sector organizations that provide exceptional workplaces for their employees and lead the nation in attracting and retaining top talent. Our selection was announced nationally this morning in a special editorial section of the Globe and Mail.

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Thank you for inviting me to speak today. I am always pleased to support northern businesses in their partnerships to strengthen and diversify our economy.

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Thank you, I would like to welcome you to this conference on northern governance and the economy on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I am pleased to see so many people here with an interest in the long term economic and social well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories.

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Thank you. I am honoured to be here today on behalf of Premier McLeod and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Organizers are holding over one hundred Sisters in Spirit vigils across the country today to remember the missing and murdered Aboriginal women of Canada.

This year, the vigils have become an international event with ceremonies held in South America and the United States in honour of their Indigenous women who are missing and murdered. 

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Thank you for the opportunity to speak – and congratulations to the organizers for putting together another successful edition of this long running conference.

We have come a long way since Meet the North was first originated in part to introduce the north and its potential to potential investors in southern Canada.

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Thank you. I am pleased to be here today and to see so many people that have an interest in the sustainable economic development of Canada’s north. I would like to thank Conference Chair Bob Gomes, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Centre Edmonton for bringing us all together to talk about ways we can encourage and support northern economic development.

Thank you for inviting me to be here today.  I would like to speak to you about the place of the Northwest Territories in the world and how fostering strong relationships has been, and will continue to be, an important part of promoting social and economic progress in the North.

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Good Afternoon, I would like to welcome all of you to the launch of Family Violence Awareness Week.  I am particularly happy to see a number of young people attending this afternoon.

Sadly, once again this week we are reminded that violence against women is a very real problem in our communities. The Northwest Territories has the second highest rate of family violence in Canada and we know that many incidents are never reported.  So it is not a surprise to you when I say we have some work to do.

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Mayor Johnson, MLA Norman Yakeleya, Chiefs, Presidents and Community leaders, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon. In addition to my responsibilities as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, I am also the Minister of Transportation.

So I would like to start with a story that has its basis – not in oil and gas – but in aviation.