Debates of March 19, 2004 (day 4)

Statements

Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, just in follow up to that, my question is also to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. As Mr. Allen has stated, many of us, and I'm sure many people in the public service as well, travel extensively throughout Canada. We hand out business cards on a regular basis. There was an idea that had come forward some time back about utilizing the business cards that we hand out as an opportunity to promote travel and tourism in the Northwest Territories. I would like to know what the Minister could do to support that idea. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's a very inexpensive and great way to promote our territory. I believe the Development Corporation currently does it, and I would certainly be willing to talk to the departmental officials and to the Premier about seeing if we couldn't do this with a government-wide approach. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had observed on some NWT employee's business cards a word that says tourism…Or, it's two words. It says tourism information and a 1-800 number. It's just in regular print. Would the Minister commit to working with his department to develop something that looks a little more interesting, that might be a little more eye catching than just a regular print with a telephone number beside it? Perhaps a different font with some aurora passing through it, or something that we would be happy to put on our business cards. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you. For Members of the Assembly, that's a decision the Board of Management would have to make, but I think it's a good idea. I think that reference to a Web site is probably more helpful than a 1-800 number. I see no reason why we wouldn't look at something like this. It's a very inexpensive way to promote the Territories. It would have to go to the Board of Management. Where it relates to RWED, I'll certainly have discussions about that with my staff. But I think it's something the Member should bring to the attention of the board. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Mrs. Groenewegen, supplementary.

Supplementary To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would be happy to work with my colleagues on the Governance and Economic Development committee, under which tourism falls, to bring that to the Board of Management. Would the Minister undertake to have a prototype designed of something that would be standardized, so that we don't have a lot of different logos and symbols and words out there? Would he commit to have that design undertaken, then allow us to bring that back to our Board of Management which would at least get it on the business cards of the Members in this House, and perhaps others as well? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 39-15(3): Promoting Travel And Tourism In The North

Certainly, we can do that. I will do that. Thank you.