Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Economic Opportunities Panel report is affirmation of our citizens’ grassroots priorities for economic development. My thanks to all those who took time to contribute and share their views.
In reading the report, it often seemed I was reading my files of correspondence from people across the NWT or, indeed, in entreaties from this side of the House.
A few highlights:
widespread interest in more agriculture, recognizing the importance of small subsidies and empowerment of local capacity;
strong support for development of commercial fisheries, recognizing unused capacity and marketing this special world-class resource;
increased development of our forestry potential and an end to importing biofuel;
expansion of tourism with training and marketing help for small operators and consideration of a Yellowknife runway extension to accept international traffic;
even greater emphasis on the grassroots arts and craft industry with action to improve the supply of materials so we don’t lose traditional skills;
take advantage of unused capacity for hydro energy to cut the burden of energy costs on our businesses and families and grow a greener economy;
greater emphasis on training and employment development and cutting back the fly-in, fly-out workers commuting from afar;
emphasis first and last on made-in-the-NWT to stop exporting our dollars and nail them down in our local economies;
there’s a critical need to integrate labour development with economic development and get government back onto effective socio-economic benefits agreements;
from government services people want strong action on import substitution and an effective Business Incentive Policy with tightening up of support programs to eliminate confusion.
I would also push for a long overdue renewable resource forum in parallel to the Geoscience Forum.
People did not emphasize megaprojects and big developments. Those players are well resourced to further their projects, but the need for considerable focus to actually benefit widely from such development was clear. The largely local common sense folks contributing their views knew what they wanted for ensuring healthy families and healthy communities, a strong emphasis on small local businesses and use of local resources to meet basic needs and build local economies.
Our citizens are optimistic and confident in our ability to control our economic destiny and grow a sustainable economy. I look forward to the government’s next steps in giving life to this direction. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
