Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. In the past I’ve stood up in the House to celebrate the hardworking town of Enterprise, our gateway to the NWT. Even though it’s a small town with a population of just over 100 people, and in spite of recent economic challenges, Enterprise is home to great civic enthusiasm and a number of exciting ideas for economic development.
Just this past December the hamlet elected a new counsel including two counsellors in their early twenties. It’s great to see young people participating in their communities like this. While we were sad to say goodbye to Winnie’s Restaurant, a staple both for residents and for visitors and travellers, a new shop specializing in Dene arts and crafts featuring artists from the Deh Cho and the North and South Slave is an asset to the community. The community also hosts a new design gallery. The hamlet’s artistic streak shows a real enterprising spirit.
I’ve also spoken here before about the new and potential economic initiatives for the community of Enterprise. For example, a new fire tower. Also, in 2014, a portion of Highway No. 1 was dedicated as the NWT Highway of Tears commemorating Canadian veterans.
I’ve said before that our visitors centre at the site of the old Enterprise weigh scale could not only celebrate the hamlet, it could also tie into this highway initiative as well as other tourism possibilities including connections to outfitting and maybe even a bison interpretive centre.
Just this past year two Enterprise residents won a 2014 Parks Hospitality Award for their work at the 60th Parallel Visitors Centre. Residents are also looking forward to the possibility of a new wood pellet plant to bring jobs to the region.
It’s clear that the residents of Enterprise are eager for new opportunities. It’s also clear that they are actively pursuing these opportunities both as a hamlet and in private business ventures. But right now many of these opportunities are still in the future and the hamlet can’t afford to wait.
Later I will have questions about the support for hardworking NWT communities.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
