Good evening everyone, tonight we are celebrating the success of our Hay River business community – a community that sees challenges as opportunities and creatively and willingly responds to change. These strengths are the key to a successful business. Ladies and gentleman, this event is always one of my favourites and I'm happy to have a chance to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship here with you this evening.

I would like to say a special thanks to your president, Ms. Janet Marie Fizer for the invitation to join you here this evening. Janet you have been a strong supporter of opening up Hay River for more business opportunities and, under your leadership, this Chamber has been a strong advocate for local businesses.

I would also like to acknowledge my colleagues Mrs. Jane Groenewegen and Mr. Robert Bouchard, who have both been tireless supporters of Hay River business owners. You can rest assured both of them are working hard for you here in Hay River and Yellowknife.

It wasn't long ago that I was here for the grand opening of the Business Incentive Policy office. As you know, decentralizing jobs from Yellowknife to other communities throughout the territory was a commitment made by this government when we first took office – and one that we are continuing to work on.

More great news was the signing this week of the Memorandum of Understanding on forest industry development between the GNWT and the Deninu Kue First Nation and the Fort Resolution Métis Council.

This MOU supports the commercial harvesting of wood and resulting employment, training and business opportunities for the residents of Fort Resolution. This is an encouraging sign for the forestry sector.

Our Biomass Strategy supports the commercial use of wood for heat and this MOU is the first step in a process to help ensure a supply of timber for a viable commercial operation. It will help to revitalize the forestry sector. I want to take a moment to recognize Mr. Brad Mapes dedication on the proposed wood pellet plant – which not only will help to reduce fuel costs, but will also create needed jobs in the community and contribute to the health of the Hay River economy.

Also this week was the good news about a new reality series currently in production in the NWT. Some of you may have heard about Fur Harvesters NWT, the new reality-series produced, filmed and edited entirely in the Northwest Territories. The series follows trapper Andrew Stanley – who lives just outside of Hay River – and his day-to-day adventures on his trap-line.

This will be the first reality series of its kind in the NWT and is scheduled to make its TV debut this fall. In the same vein of success as other northern-based reality shows, this show will raise the profile of Hay River and hopefully encourage additional tourism to this area.

A little over a year ago I was also here for the grand opening of a new, federally certified egg-grading station. I want to congratulate Mr. John Penner, Mr. Bruce Ramage, and the Wallingtons – Glen, Mike and Kevin for their success with Polar Egg. It is all I buy, and encourage everyone to continue to support Polar Egg.

You took an idea and transformed it into a solid business plan, you took a risk, and now you are responding to market demand by supplying regions of the NWT – and even further south – with locally produced, fresh eggs. It is this type of energy that embodies the resilient entrepreneurial spirit that is the driving force behind our economy, and it really shines here in Hay River.

Now, I know that there have been challenges in the past few years. Through our development of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy, we heard your concerns about the importance of keeping the Hay River business community and economy vibrant and strong. We have identified some priorities for investment that will have significant impacts here in Hay River.

While work to develop the Economic Opportunities Strategy brought your concerns to our attention, it also highlighted the impressive potential that exists for commercial fishing – especially out of Hay River on Great Slave Lake. In the coming year, we are proposing to invest $200 thousand to identify and leverage new capital - which when combined with the Northern Food Development Program and a further 1.5 Million in 2015- 2016 as an equity injection - will play a key role in growing the community fishery industry.

We are also investing heavily in growing the tourism sector in all the regions of the Northwest Territories. Hay River has shown that there are opportunities for a viable tourism industry here, and that you are up to the task of hosting large events. Evidenced by the success of the NWT Association of Communities’ AGM held here last May, and the NWT Tourism AGM here last November.

Again, in keeping with the resilient spirit of entrepreneurship that embodies Hay River, your tourism outfitters continue to develop and expand their range of products. Two-Seasons adventures is a perfect example of this – offering unique winter camping experiences in addition to the tried and true outdoor adventures they are known for.

We are also aware of the potential for the agriculture industry in the NWT and in Hay River – due in no small part to local champions of the cause such as Mayor Andrew Cassidy in his dual role of Executive Director of the Territorial Farmers Association, and the tireless efforts of Association president Ms. Jackie Milne, who has long been an advocate for farming and agricultural initiatives in the North.

To ensure we are making the most of this potential, we are investing $150,000 in the development of a comprehensive Agriculture Strategy and Implementation Plan to grow this industry across the territory, and we know Hay River is one area where there is great potential for viable agriculture projects.

Now, I won’t take up too much more of your evening, but would just like to reiterate that I have enormous respect for what you do, the sacrifices you make, the risks you take, and the investments you make in your community. By dreaming big and tackling the challenges that may come your way, you are truly the heartbeat of the Hay River business community.

We all know there is great potential for business in Hay River. The Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to rely on this Chamber for guidance and advice because of your strong and working relationship with the local business community.

Now more than ever, we will need your insight and guidance to develop the programs and services that will advance economic development in this community.

But for now, let’s celebrate your success!

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your evening.