Debates of May 14, 2007 (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of ITI is aware, I have been working hard with other Members, especially with the community of Deline in the Sahtu, in terms of having Deline being recognized as the birthplace of ice hockey in Canada. I wanted to ask the Minister of ITI what type of exposure is he working on in terms of getting this recognition as a significant historical event in Canada, especially for ice hockey? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 69-15(6): Recognition Of Deline As Birthplace Of Ice Hockey In Canada

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I would like to commend the Member for his hard work on this initiative.

---Applause

He has been encouraging this government to do some work to officially recognize Deline as the birthplace of hockey. I am happy to say that an event has come up in London for Canada Day it will be participating in. The GNWT, through my department, is supporting NWT Tourism in bringing over a ball hockey team from Deline. We will put on a bit of a show and an exhibition of their incredible hockey ability. I understand the Member himself will be suited up and put a number of balls in the net, presumably, and make us look good.

Mr. Speaker, we think that this is an excellent opportunity for us to lever some publicity. There will be a lot of people in attendance. It is a great way to recognize Deline. I understand that there is going to be some hand games demonstration, some other cultural promotion. After all, Mr. Speaker, we are really hoping to use this opportunity to create some awareness around Deline, the Northwest Territories, and see if we can’t get some tourists to come back here and visit us. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 69-15(6): Recognition Of Deline As Birthplace Of Ice Hockey In Canada

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister in his confidence in hoping that I will put a bunch of balls in the net there in London, England. How important is this event here? I know the importance of Sir John Franklin, because he came from England, in terms of his name and his contributions to some of the historical events that happened in this world here. What role in terms of our team going over there from Deline, especially in the role of tourism, how important is the role of tourism for the people in London to come over here and come and visit Canada and especially visit the birthplace of ice hockey started by one of their own people from England?

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 69-15(6): Recognition Of Deline As Birthplace Of Ice Hockey In Canada

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is very important for us. When we look at our tourism numbers overall, we break them down by country of origin. Number one, in terms of the most frequent visitors, are Americans, but close behind that, Mr. Speaker, are those from the United Kingdom. So we think there is a great potential for growth. We would like to get more people from England, from the United Kingdom, to come over. This is an excellent opportunity for us to do this. This is a real unique event that we are putting on. All the provinces and territories, Mr. Speaker, will be present at those events in London at Trafalgar Square. We think we have a unique hook here. We are going to try to take full advantage of that. I know the Member, as well as myself, have been working to try to make sure we can get some GNWT presence, potentially in the person of the Premier. We will see if his schedule will allow for it, but we would like to raise this up, ratchet it up to profile. I think that would be a way for us to do that. We are trying to make this a big event and are contributing monies to NWT Tourism to make it successful. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 69-15(6): Recognition Of Deline As Birthplace Of Ice Hockey In Canada

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that the Deline team will win the Franklin Cup in London, England. Does the Minister think that Ottawa will win the Stanley Cup?

---Laughter