Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the 1993-94 capital budget of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism is divided into two areas: tourism, including parks and visitors' centres; and the development corporation. I will deal with visitors' centres first, Mr. Chairman.
Through the 1993-94 capital plan, the department will finish the visitors' centre in Dawson City and begin construction of a regional centre in Inuvik. These two complementary facilities will increase the quantity, and improve the quality, of tourism information throughout the western Arctic.
The early summer of 1993 will also see the opening of the visitors' centre in Arviat.
In the parks area, Mr. Chairman, the funds provided in the capital plan will put the finishing touches on Blackstone, Saamba Deh, Lady Evelyn and Fred Henne Parks. Major renovations are planned for the Hay River Park and the Happy Valley campground in Inuvik. Once improved, it is anticipated that these two parks will be well-used each summer.
In some parks, Mr. Chairman, the main attractions are historical resources. The parks planned for the Meliadine River near Rankin Inlet and the Whaling Era buildings in Pangnirtung are projects through which people can come to understand and appreciate the north's rich history.
The two largest park initiatives in the capital plan are Katannilik, and Twin Falls. Katannilik Park includes the Soper River and the valley adjacent to Lake Harbour. Katannilik Park will especially appeal to hikers and canoeists who are seeking some of the fine Arctic scenery the north has to offer. Twin Falls Park is a consolidation of small, older highway parks on Highway No. 1, "the waterfalls route" near the Alberta border. This improved park will link Alexandra and Louise Falls by a scenic cliff side hiking trail.
Other types of facilities included in the capital plan are: roadside pull-offs; scenic look-outs; interpretive signs; and basic information signage to maintain the interest and diversion of visitors along the way.
Projects under the highway corridor development category include picnic areas and boat launch sites along the Ingraham Trail; improved highway signs along the Liard highway and the N.W.T. border, and the expansion of the highway route marker program along the highway to Fort Providence.
Tourism signage projects will be completed in Coppermine and Tuktoyaktuk, and new signs and outdoor displays will be developed in Cambridge Bay, Fort McPherson and Cape Dorset.
Last year, Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Finance asked the department to provide more detail about the economic benefits resulting from our capital investments. During the development and construction phases alone, the projects proposed for 1993-94 are estimated to create 44 person years of local employment, which equates to 166 seasonal jobs. The data does not reflect the additional employment opportunities created because facilities are improved, consequently attracting more visitors for even longer periods of time.
Mr. Chairman, with regard to the N.W.T. Development Corporation, the corporation operates at arm's length from the department, and establishes its capital plan through an annual corporate plan.
Due to this status, it does not appear in the department's capital plan as a series of separate projects but rather as one summary budget.
The N.W.T. Development Corporation has a mandate to invest primarily for the benefit of lesser developed communities. This year it will invest some six million dollars toward the development of business opportunities. Those businesses are typically community-based with local boards playing a major role in their continued operation.
The development corporation is founded on the principle that increased local ownership and participation will lead to increased business success.
Mr. Chairman, in the first 18 months of operation, the Northwest Territories Development Corporation board of directors approved some $10.5 million in capital investments in 11 development corporation majority owned businesses, $1.2 million in eight pilot projects, and $4.1 million as a minority partner in nine joint ventures with N.W.T. entrepreneurs. In addition, the corporation will provide $1.8 million in operating subsidies to its majority owned business for the prior and current fiscal years.
Over the coming months, the development corporation will place emphasis on improving the management and support systems for its various ventures, increasing the productivity of its businesses, and seeking out joint venture opportunities, especially in lesser developed communities where it is not now present.
Time is required to refine its corporate strategy, communicate its mission more broadly, and increase community awareness of its programs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I respectfully request the inclusion of witnesses as we go through the budget. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.