This evening, Madam Speaker, I will be leaving Yellowknife to participate in Prime Minister Chretien's trade mission to Asia. Madam Speaker, the purpose of the mission, with visits to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, is to highlight and strengthen Canada's trade relationship with China.
With over 1.2 billion people and an average growth in gross domestic product of over nine per cent in the last 10 years, the Chinese government has shown great interest in developing commercial relations with Canada. The trade mission will allow Canada to cultivate that interest and to examine areas of economic cooperation.
The mission includes a special trade forum, involving the Prime Minister and Premiers, during the annual general meeting of the Canada China Business Council. More than 300 Canadian business people, including Andy Clark of Clark Builders and Canadian International Builders, will be attending the general meeting in Beijing. Mr. Clark's firm has a number of housing projects in Beijing. Another Yellowknife firm, Ferguson, Simek and Clark, is also active in the area.
Madam Speaker, members of the territorial government's delegation include Mr. Roland Bailey, deputy minister of Economic Development and Tourism, and Mr. Geoffery Soh, an economic planner in that department. The plan is to promote northern products and investment opportunities during the many meetings that have been arranged during the 10-day trade mission. We will also be promoting Chinese participation in the prospects north conference to be held in Yellowknife next September. There will also be opportunities for informal discussions on domestic and territorial issues with other Premiers and the Prime Minister.
Madam Speaker, during my absence from Yellowknife, the Hon. John Pollard will be acting Premier and acting Minister responsible for Health and Social Services. The Hon. Stephen Kakfwi will be acting Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. I have asked the Hon. Don
Morin to be the acting Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate. Thank you.
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