(February 6, 2013) - Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to echo Premier McLeod’s previous comments and thank you all for coming to this tourism reception.

I would also like to thank Ms. Jenni Bruce, president of NWT Tourism, and her organization’s hard-working staff, for partnering with us to increase awareness of our territory’s tourism opportunities.

Before my time as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment for the Government of the Northwest Territories I began my career as a parks officer for the GNWT.

So I speak from experience and great passion when I say that the Northwest Territories is a tourist’s paradise.  Our territory offers world class experiences for the traveller who wants that something different. That something extra. That something special.

We’re big – over 1.2 million square kilometres big to be exact – and it’s the land of big wildlife, big adventure and big smiles.

Now, you may know the north is a treasure trove of mineral resources. Tourism is the new diamond in our treasure chest.

Ladies and gentlemen, with our friendly people, our vibrant communities, our beautiful land and our economic potential, we think the Northwest Territories is Canada’s best kept secret. However, this is one secret that isn’t meant to be kept. The 42, 000 of us that call the territory home know that it is the place to be. We want you to think that too.

So tonight I am inviting you to come and visit us. Come dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean. Come experience the best light show on earth, the aurora borealis, in one of the world’s premium viewing locations. Come tee off at midnight under the midnight sun during our endless summer days. Come experience our vibrant Aboriginal cultures at one of our many festivals. Come see wildlife in their natural habitat. Come paddle the world-famous Nahanni River, or hike the challenging Canol Trail.

No matter what you’re looking for in a holiday destination, I can guarantee you’ll find it in the Northwest Territories.

I hope that what you see and experience here tonight, and throughout the course of NWT Days here at Winterlude in Ottawa this weekend, that the Northwest Territories will firmly place the Northwest Territories at the top of your “must see” list.

To showcase an example of Northwest Territories culture and give you a flavour for the Northwest Territories experience, I’m pleased to introduce our youth ambassadors. They are going to give you a traditional games demonstration – as Adam Beach mentioned earlier, these games are a great source of cultural pride in our region. I hope you enjoy the performance.