Good afternoon everyone, it is a pleasure to be here. Along with my colleagues from the Northwest Territories, we are enjoying our time at the Beijing Fur Fair and at the International Fur Trade Federation events.

I would like to thank Mr. Steven Hurwitz, Chairman of International Fur Federation, and Madam Deng Xiaolan, Honourary Chairwoman of International Fur Federation, Asia Region. Thank you for the invitation to join you today.

It’s easy to see that China – and Beijing in particular – is very fashionable when it comes to fur. I have seen a lot of fur and fur trim on this city’s streets, and the heart of fashion really does beat strong here.

Some of you had the opportunity to see Minister David Ramsay’s presentation this morning on the Canadian fur trade, and the importance of the fur trade to the country.

In my home of the Northwest Territories in Canada’s Arctic, we pride ourselves on providing healthy, high-quality fur for sale. At every fur auction our wild fur is in very high demand, particularly from Chinese buyers. Buyers have told us they want our wild fur because of its unique, high quality appearance and luxurious feel.

Fur has made an impressive return back to where it belongs – to the heart of the high-end fashion world. When you have publications like Vogue – the top fashion magazine in the world – reporting that nearly 70% of designers incorporated fur pieces into their 2013 fall and winter collections, we know that fur is back and is here to stay as a key fashion element.

Some of you may recognize the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs brand of wild fur. Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs from the Northwest Territories are known as some of the best wild fur on the market and recognized worldwide as the highest-quality wild fur that money can buy.

This fur is harvested and prepared by Aboriginal people from the Northwest Territories – Canada’s Arctic. All wild fur harvested in the Northwest Territories must pass our marketing standards that meet and exceed established international humane harvesting standards. Perhaps more than anywhere else in Canada, trapping is more than just a job in the Northwest Territories – it is a way of life.

For more than 300 years, the world has been coming to Canada for its high quality and abundant fur. That trade has been a source of wealth and prosperity for Aboriginal people that continues today.

Promoting sustainable communities is a priority for my government and the Government of Canada during its chairmanship of the Arctic Council. That includes supporting traditional activities like fur harvesting, as well as promoting the responsible development of the rich storehouse of natural resources the Arctic, and the Northwest Territories, has to offer. Not just fur, but also oil, gas, hydroelectricity, gold, diamonds, bismuth and rare earth metals.

Trapping is a way of life for Aboriginal people in the NWT. The land and its resources are an integral part of the history and culture of the NWT. For us, hunting and trapping is not only a means of income or survival, it is also a way of connecting us to our traditional beliefs, those we share with our Elders, and our ancestors before us. Animal rights activists advocate on behalf of the animals but they do not always understand the effect on they have on the people who rely on trapping.

Trapping is a way of life for Aboriginal people on the NWT. When you support trapping you support people maintaining their way of life. In that regard I am a trapping rights advocate.

The Government of the Northwest Territories works in partnership with other organizations, including our colleagues at the Fur Harvesters Auction, and their CEO Mark Downey, to promote the fur industry and to ensure the industry’s success.

Our commitment to providing quality fur makes us an ideal source to supply China’s world leading fur garment industry, and is our main export destination for Northwest Territories wild fur, especially our luxurious Canadian Sable.

If you want a luxurious yet unique accent product that stands out in the Chinese fashion world, we can provide that.

If you want the best wild fur that money can buy, we have it.

If you want excellent value for your money when purchasing wild fur, you’ve found it.

We know what our buyers want. We know quality. And we know what it takes to produce luxurious, high quality fur.

Thank you.