Mr. Speaker, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games are still a few days away, but our government’s efforts to promote the Northwest Territories at the games as a place to invest in, visit and live have been going on for quite some time.
With that in mind, I’d like to talk today about the government’s recent activities in this very important initiative.
Mr. Speaker, Canada’s Northern House opened to the public on January 15th. This is the North’s Olympic pavilion and is the result of a partnership between the governments of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. This building will be ground zero in our pan-territorial efforts to promote the North.
Two weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend the grand opening of Canada’s Northern House, as was the honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Dave Ramsay. Also attending the grand opening were Nunavut Deputy Premier Peter Taptuna, Yukon Deputy Premier Elaine Taylor, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, the federal government’s Minister of State for Sport, Gary Lunn, and Vancouver Olympic Committee CEO Mr. John Furlong. It was a proud moment for the Northwest Territories.
And I say that with conviction, Mr. Speaker. Canada’s Northern House was the first Canadian provincial and territorial Olympic pavilion to open.
A great accomplishment for the three territories with limited resources.
Mr. Speaker, I can assure each and every resident of the Northwest Territories that Canada’s Northern House is a wonderful asset in our efforts to promote our home to the world. It truly showcases the best our Territory has to offer: our people, our culture, our land, our communities, our arts and crafts and our business opportunities.
It has also been a smash hit with the public. On Sunday we had over 3,500 visitors and over 20,000 visitors have walked through our doors so far. We’ve received media coverage from all across Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Scandinavia and Asia. I’d like to provide the Members with a sampling of some of the words visitors have used to describe Canada’s Northern House: “beautiful,” “fascinating,” “amazing,” “awesome,” “informative” and “wonderful.”
Mr. Speaker, this government has also ensured that there is a full slate of events and programming scheduled at Canada’s Northern House. We just wrapped up two of those events. The first was Diamond Week, held February 1st to 4th, where we promoted our diamond industry. The week featured demonstrations on diamond cutting and polishing, talks on prospecting and information about diamond mining from representatives of our three diamond mines. The week was capped off by the “Rare in Nature” fashion show, which featured Northwest Territories diamonds, jewellery and the fur fashions of Dene Fur Clouds of Fort Providence. Mr. Robert Hawkins and I had the opportunity to attend this gala. It was a tremendous show and a wonderful way to wrap up Diamond Week.
Yesterday and today Canada’s Northern House is hosting Tourism Days, where Mikey McBryan of Buffalo Airways, operators like Ted Grant of Simpson Air and the Nahanni Mountain Lodge, and Don Morin of Aurora Village, along with representatives of Northwest Territories Tourism and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, are on hand to promote the broad range of tourism opportunities in the Northwest Territories.
Yesterday Mr. Dave Ramsay and I had the privilege of attending one of these tourism days. We were able to meet with the tourism travel trade, media and Canadian Tourism Commission delegates. It was an amazing event.
This was just the beginning, Mr. Speaker. Activities and events will continue at Canada’s Northern House until April and this facility and our promotional efforts there will bring unprecedented exposure to the Northwest Territories. It will also potentially open up new markets for our artists and our businesses, and help to diversify our economy and provide all Northwest Territories communities and regions with choices and opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, in a few days Canadian athletes will give it their all in hopes of bringing home the gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics. And I can assure the Members of this House and all our residents that the Government of the Northwest Territories is giving its all to promote our Territory at the games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
