Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to advise Members about the opening of the Ivalu Arts and Crafts facility and the Keewatin Meat and Fish Plant this weekend in Rankin Inlet.
The opening of these facilities was a celebration of the elders of our community who have worked so hard and so diligently to ensure the success of these projects. Among the elders who participated in the openings were Mr. and Mrs. Lucien Taparti, Mrs. Louisa Kaludjak, Arsene Paniyuk, Mr. and Mrs. Karlik, and Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Ittinuar.
It was the elders of our community who recognized that the skills and dedication of the crafts people, hunters and fishermen of the Keewatin region earned the potential in creating world-class products. I know that Mr. Lewis is familiar with the quality of the meat and fish from Rankin because he seems to keep asking me for more. I also understand that Mr. Koe had the opportunity to serve Keewatin meat and fish products when he travelled to southern Canada recently at the games.
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I am confident that the new clothing product lines that have now been introduced by Ivalu will be equally sought after by yourself, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would also like to publicly compliment the crafts people and the elders of Pangnirtung. They created extraordinary hand decorated exterior signs for the two buildings. I believe this signage is an exciting new product that makes full use of the local skills of residents of that community, and the product will successfully compete with southern-made signages.
Madam Speaker, these facilities were tendered on a design/build and were constructed on time, under budget by local contractors. It should also be noted that the Keewatin Fish and Meat is the only licensed integrated meat and fish plant in the Northwest Territories.
Madam Speaker, my constituents and I are very excited about the employment possibilities that these two facilities will present to Keewatin people. I am confident that not only will Ivalu and Keewatin Meat and Fish provide ongoing employment to close to 20 to 30 people, but will also play an important role in enhancing the incomes of crafts people, fishermen and hunters in the Keewatin region. Thank you.
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