Debates of March 19, 2004 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this being Friday, I would also like to touch on a lighter topic, but an important point and it has been raised by two other Members already. It is with regard to the messages and slogans, sort of the branding of the Territories. I do believe the previous questions focussed on this idea as a tourism strategy. But someone has brought to my attention -- I believe she's in the gallery -- the fact that the NWT does not have an NWT-wide label or a brand name or a slogan or something that we use repeatedly that is recognizable around the world. I can think of departments having that. For example, the Department of Transportation has a sign that says "On the Move." I think that's a good name that recognizes the department.

My question is to the Minister of RWED. In his deliberations and considerations of the points that were raised earlier, would the Minister consider adding into that a slogan for the NWT? Thank you.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

I will certainly bring this point and this discussion to the Premier's attention. I think it's important if we're going to have a corporate message for the Government of the Northwest Territories, that obviously it's his department that needs to take the lead. But as the Territories are concerned, territorial-wide and as it relates to tourism, I think we do need to do and make more of an effort to brand the Northwest Territories around the world. It's a competitive market for tourism expenditures and there are many countries and many jurisdictions in the world for tourists to visit. We’d like to make sure that they come here. I think it does make sense to have a consistent message when the various pieces of this government and other agencies outside the government are out and are speaking about the Northwest Territories. A clear, concise and consistent message coming forward on behalf of the Northwest Territories would certainly be helpful. I’d like to speak to my departmental officials in tourism about that, but, most importantly, the NWT Arctic Tourism folks who I think have done a lot of good work in this regard, and see where we are at this point. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Following on that, would the Minister consider conducting a contest among the residents of the Territories? Not a huge money-spending venture, but a contest on a Web site or polling where people could click on with different ideas of what the slogans are. Maybe we could end up with the top three and then we could have a final match. Would the Minister consider something like that? Thank you.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

It is a very interesting idea. I suppose I would ask the Member if she is proposing that we revisit the "Within Reach but Beyond Belief" message or slogan that we have had on behalf of the Arctic in the past. Is that the suggestion, that we need to sort of retool that and come up with another message? Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to be clear that I am going beyond the message for tourism. I think that message for the tourism industry is a good one and it has been used for a long time. I am suggesting something different, a little slogan for the whole Territories, NWT government or the NWT as a whole. In British Columbia, for example, they use the slogan “Beautiful British Columbia,” I don’t know if this is for tourism. I think PEI has a short message that everybody understands, which I can’t remember at the moment; sorry. So I am looking for something beyond tourism ideas. Something that is for the NWT, something like “On the Move” for transportation, that works for the department, but something short and precise. I don’t know; I am not going to suggest that now, but something short for the NWT. Would he consider that? Thank you.

Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 41-15(3): Promotional Slogan For The NWT

I think it is probably best at this point, before I try to propose something and embarrass myself thoroughly, that I take this to the Premier and we have some discussion about this as a government. Thank you.