Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to stand before the House today to announce the appointment of 16 members of the private sector to the Premier's Panel on the Economy and Employment.
Mr. Speaker, this panel will provide an opportunity for informal and direct dialogue between this government and representatives of the private sector. The panel will provide advice to this government on how the business climate in the Northwest Territories can be improved to attract jobs, investment and capital.
Mr. Speaker, a strong, healthy economy cannot be achieved by government initiatives alone. Government and private sector must create strong and effective partnerships if we hope to improve economic opportunities for northerners.
Mr. Speaker, the members of the Premier's Panel on the Economy and Employment, who have been selected to represent the diversity of economic sectors and geographic regions in the Northwest Territories, are: Willard Hagen of Inuvik; Russell Newmark of Tuktoyaktuk; Larry Wallace of Norman Wells; Joanne Deneron of Fort Liard; Mike Magrum, Gary Jaeb, Jack Walker and Stefan Simek, all of Yellowknife; Sandra Jaque of Fort Smith; Russell King of Hay River; David Ittinuar of Rankin Inlet; Leonie Napa Duffy of Coral Harbour; Wilf Wilcox of Cambridge Bay; Dennis Lyle of Taloyoak; Naomi Akavak of Kimmirut; and, Bob Hanson of Iqaluit.
I am hoping to convene the first meeting of the panel at the earliest opportunity and I am looking forward to a very useful and productive counsel and I am confident this panel will provide that for us. Thank you.
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