Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity to travel on the Alaska Highway many years ago and I was really impressed by the opportunity to just pull alongside the highway, stretch and take in the sights. But I was just stunned by the amazing beauty of the Alaska Highway and the many services that the government provides for tourists, for people to pull over and rest, maybe park their RV and take some pictures. That road was clearly impressive in terms of developing and to ensure that there is a plan for tourists. My statement relates to that very initiative.
In the Northwest Territories my constituency prides itself in being the gateway to the Northwest Territories. The economy in the Northwest Territories and Canada is in a downturn and tourism travel to the North is also slowing down.
In Enterprise, the Hay River Reserve, Kakisa and Fort Providence, we pride ourselves that we have gifts of natural wonders. Whether it be viewing the falls in driving into Enterprise, skidooing on the great lakes or canoeing on the lake, there is great potential for a successful Tourism Development Strategy.
We have artists, performers and amazing areas in the Deh Cho and arts and crafts such as moose hair tufting. Awhile back there was an initiative to ensure that the North was represented in terms of…(inaudible)…traditional arts and crafts artisans developed moose hair tufting slippers and it was noted that people from the North had amazing gifts. For that matter, we could also listen to the famous Johnny Landry, who is also a performer, and many artists that live in our communities and struggle to make a living and also ensure that we develop a vibrant tourism development economy for the Northwest Territories.
I just wanted to ensure that this government is aware that we have our natural strengths, we have our natural abilities, we have amazing gifts that are just given to us in our back doors and we need to develop and ensure that we have good plans in place. I’ll be raising some questions on this matter later on.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
