Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to make the opening comments for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Chairman, I would like to discuss the main estimates for the Department of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development. The mandate of the department is to promote economic self-sufficiency and growth through the sustainable development of natural resources and to enhance the creation of new, sustainable opportunities in the traditional and wage economies
The four key priorities of Towards a Better Tomorrow are: one, self-reliant individuals, families and communities, working with governments, toward improving social well-being. Two, better governance through partnerships. Three, a northern controlled economy that is balanced, diversified, stable and vibrant. And four, adequate resources helping all levels of government to become more self-reliant in meeting the needs of the people they serve. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development contributes to the achievement of each of these.
The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development plays a critical role in assisting in the creation of a diversified economy. The key is providing an effective balance between the development of our resources, enhancing employment opportunities for residents and minimizing social and environmental impacts.
The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has the lead role within government to ensure that our northern environment is protected and managed responsibly. Environmental protection services is responsible for the protection of the northern environment through initiatives and programs regarding air quality, hazardous waste discharges, solid waste management, and environmental assessment.
Priorities for this fiscal year are: exploring a revenue neutral beverage container recovery program, completing a greenhouse strategy to be released to the public for consultation and improving the northern environmental regulatory system. The goal is to create a modern regulatory system that has consistent practices and standards. For example, a new air quality code of practice for the oil and gas industry is being drafted for release this year. Hazardous waste management guidelines for biomedical waste, institutional waste, and lead paint are also being developed.
A key part of the department's mandate is forest management. Forest management is responsible for the administration and management of the NWT's forest resources, including issuing harvest authorities, completing resource inventories and forest health assessments, reforestation and fire management. Fire management emphasizes the protection of people, property and forest areas from wildfire through prevention and suppression activities. A major fire management initiative this year is a framework agreement between RWED and MACA. The objective of the agreement is to improve the protection of communities from the threat of forest fires in the urban/wildland interface.
The issuing of timber harvest authorities, forest inventories, and silviculture activities will result in the development of capacity at the community level and the direct involvement of aboriginal people in the management of forest resources on traditional lands.
Parks and tourism is responsible for the implementation of the Protected Areas Strategy and the development and operation of parks and visitor centres. One of the priorities this year is to complete outstanding commitments under the strategy including reviewing the Parks Act to include a category for protected areas. A second priority is the development of a tourism strategy for the NVVT that includes marketing the NWT as a prime tourist destination and developing quality regional attractions.
Wildlife and fisheries will concentrate on programs that support individual harvesters and harvesters' organizations throughout the NWT in an effort to ensure that opportunities remain available in the traditional economy. Wildlife and fisheries will also collect baseline wildlife information, particularly in the Mackenzie Valley. Data collection programs are required to predict, monitor, and mitigate impacts to wildlife from resource development. This information is critical in facilitating the environmental assessment and review process for development proposals.
Managing development and maximizing benefits are important for the future of the NWT. We have an unprecedented opportunity to move towards greater economic self-sufficiency through the development of our non-renewable resource sector. Minerals, oil and gas provides expert advice on mineral and petroleum resource development in the NWT. The division participates in developing strategies to increase economic benefits from resource development to NWT residents and businesses. This includes pursuing northern control over northern resources through a northern accord.
With one diamond mine in production and two at the feasibility and development stage, the NWT is at the forefront of the international diamond community. Diamond projects has four main priorities this fiscal year. They include: the development of a marketing plan for northern diamonds and diamond products; negotiating an agreement with Diavik on the supply of rough diamonds to northern manufacturers; implementing a monitoring program for NWT diamond manufacturers; and a certification program for diamonds mined and cut in the NWT in order to promote their sale in export markets.
Trade and investment provides expert advice and financial support to the NWT business community and promotes the NWT as an investment location in the international marketplace. It also provides support to the Business Credit Corporation and the NWT Development Corporation. Trade and investment will continue to develop partnerships with business and professional associations to create the environment conducive to increased trade and investment
The Business Credit Corporation provides direct support to northern businesses through the provision of loans, loan guarantees, and contract security to eligible businesses. Emphasis for the BCC in the coming year will be to increase local decision-making capacity, encourage self-reliance, and improve access to capital for business enterprises.
The NWT Development Corporation provides financing through equity investments in NWT businesses. The Corporation is mandated to provide investment and ongoing support for ventures in small communities where the prospects for profitability may be weak, but benefits from employment creation are high. Continued efforts will be directed towards providing assistance in strengthening management and production capacity at the community level, and developing markets and the products to satisfy the needs of those markets.
Community economic development services provides funding and overall co-ordination for regionally based Community Futures development organizations that facilitate access to capital for entrepreneurs. The priority this year will be to continue the expansion of the network of Community Futures organizations by establishing a new organization in Fort Smith.
Mr. Chairman, as you can see the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is working within the vision of Towards a Better Tomorrow The key to success is partnerships, sustainable development, economic diversification and fiscal self-reliance. These move us closer to being the first "have" Territory in Canada's history. Thank you.