Mr. Speaker, in the last ten years we have witnessed an incredible surge in the Northwest Territories’ economy driven by strong investment in non-renewable resource development and, in particular, diamond mining and oil and gas exploration. The prospects of the proposed Mackenzie Gas Project promise even greater economic potential for the future.
As a government we are working to ensure economic development is managed in a way that fosters continued growth, builds business capacity and will allow NWT residents to benefit fully from their participation in the resource sector. It is to this end that I am announcing today the creation of the Minister’s Advisory Panel on the Economy to serve as a forum to which we can identify initiatives and practices that will position our residents and businesses to benefit from the enormous potential our future holds.
I have been working closely with the president of the NWT Chamber of Commerce to develop a structure and process that will foster an ongoing dialogue between my office and representatives and leaders of the NWT’s wide-ranging private sector and business communities. I have also invited local and community chambers to participate as members of this panel along with industry representatives, including NWT Tourism, NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines and the newly formed Aboriginal Business Association. The size of the panel will be up to 12 people.
The GNWT relies on the input of key stakeholders in the development of its policies, strategies, programs and initiatives. As the Minister of ITI it is my intent to call on this ministerial panel in coming years as a resource that will help to ensure that benefits from the economic development of the Northwest Territories are maximized for all NWT residents, their families, businesses, and communities.
Thank you, Minister McLeod. The honourable Mr. Miltenberger.
