Debates of August 23, 2011 (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last couple of years I and some of my colleagues have worked hard to highlight to the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and his department the significant advantages supporting a home-grown film industry will bring to the Northwest Territories. I believe that this multi-million dollar industry is good for the people of the NWT in many ways.

First, it employs a significant number of Northerners, and with support will potentially employ more.

Second, film and media produced and developed by our talented Northerners highlights the cultural diversity and unique aspects of our great territory: the people, the places, the events, and our environment; all things we should be very proud of.

Third, it helps circulate money throughout the Northwest Territories as film and media producers travel to different locations within our territory and engage other small local businesses for assistance in their productions.

Fourth, it creates an awareness of the territory as a whole. It makes the realities of the Northwest Territories accessible to all people, both inside and outside of the Northwest Territories, and both within Canada and around the world. Clearly, this industry is and should be a real and sustainable portion of our economy.

I was very pleased on July 18, 2011, when the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment announced that his department, recognizing that the filming industry has become one of the territory’s most promising sectors, has restructured the Film Commission to provide support to the NWT film industry to better serve aspiring northern filmmakers. In addition, the department announced that $100,000 in new dedicated annual funding has been made available to NWT film industry projects. It’s clear that the Minister was listening to the industry. This is a great first step, and I thank the Minister and his department for their hard work and dedication.

Recently I was talking to a filmmaker who indicated that he has been working closely with the newly organized, efficient, and very helpful Film Commission that is helping to put Yellowknife and the NWT on the map as a place where high-level, professional, and economically rewarding film production can happen. Clearly, the northern-grown film industry, with government help, is going in a positive direction.

I would like to once again thank the Minister for his support on this file and hopefully this kind of open-mindedness can be seen within other sectors like agriculture and biomass production in the territory in our future.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.