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Good Morning and thank you for being here with us today.

It’s so great to have Invest Canada North taking place this year during PDAC – it will inevitably open up opportunities for our Northern territories, in a way that we’ve not previously experienced at this conference.

Across the North and in the NWT we recognize that competition for exploration and development dollars is strong, but I believe we offer unique benefits for those looking to do business, and I am going to tell you what those are.

One of the really important factors that I want to reassure potential investors of is that increasing resource development and exploration in the Northwest Territories is a priority for the newly elected government.

This is essential because that means that when you come to our territory and want to do business, we are there to help you along the way, and have just as much invested in your project and the path you take.

The Northwest Territories has often been known as the home of Canadian Diamonds. But we’re more than that.

If you were at the ICN Reception last night, you may have heard in the video our Premier state that investments in the NWT are more than just investments in our people.

She said that when you invest in the Northwest Territories, you’re doing more than investing in our people; you’re also contributing to world-wide efforts to fuel our global green economy.

As the federal government drives its agenda of innovation and technology, attention and awareness is growing regarding the NWT’s strategic and critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, tungsten and rare earth elements.

We also still have some of the largest confirmed deposits of gold, zinc, and other base metals in the country.

There is so much potential in the Northwest Territories, but that isn’t the whole story.

You need to have a solid foundation of support and partnership to realize the full benefits, and we’re leading the way in this area as well.

Investors want to know that the people and the place they’re doing business, is in support. Well, I already told you that the government is on board, but what I haven’t told you is that so are our residents.

Northerners support mining. 86% of NWT residents believe a strong mining sector is vital to the long-term health of the NWT and 82% want to see more mining projects in our territory.

NWT residents and businesses support mining because they are an important part of our mining sector. 

Mining has driven the NWT economy for a long time.

Many of the territories leaders worked in mines and the exploration sector. When the diamond mines arrived, it was a natural evolution to get involved. 

Indigenous governments in our territory also have a vested interest.

They share in the resource royalties paid by our mines and their development corporations work in the resource sector.

In the NWT, we have passed modern, competitive, made-in-the North legislation to govern our industry.

Our government has committed to completing a review of our territory’s premier incentive program for mining and to identify new ways to support advanced projects, and increase funding for mining incentive programs by 50% over the next four years.

We’re investing in new geoscience to map our potential in exciting areas for explorers, including work in the Slave Geological Province — one of the highest-potential mineral regions in Canada.

And our government has a million dollar Mining Incentive Program available to prospectors and exploration companies carrying out mineral exploration in our territory.

By trade, I am what I like to call a boots-on-the-ground project engineer, and I wanted to run for politics partially because I felt that my background would give me a unique edge that could help this industry.

I have experienced firsthand some of the difficulties doing business in the North can entail, and I can promise you that I am personally ready to work with you, and have my departments working to enhance the programs and services that will support your ventures.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has a unique approach to mineral exploration and development in the NWT.

It is based on the fundamental fact that northerners want new mines, our economy needs new mines, and we all want them done in a way which reflects our territory’s values.

The approach is built on partnerships with industry stakeholders and the Indigenous governments that make up our territory, and is built on mutual respect and the recognition that each of us can contribute to the success of the others, to maximize benefits for all.

Through Socio-Economic Agreements established by our government with mining companies and 25 years of working together, we have built a made-in-the-NWT workforce and service sector.

Our people are seeing a real and tangible reason to stay in school and pursue higher learning.

They are doing more than taking on labour jobs. They are going to skilled trade schools and universities, and coming home schooled in mining related fields like heavy duty mechanics, engineering and geosciences. 

Our Indigenous governments own and operate the companies that service the mines.  This has built a strong indigenous business community. They own construction, logistics, transportation and now mining companies.

Some have even expanded from our territory to service industry in Alberta and across Canada.