Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to provide you with an overview of the main estimates for the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. For the 2002-2003 fiscal year, the department is requesting a total of $81,574,000. This request is an increase of $6 million or about eight percent.

Partnerships are an important mandate for this government. Our business plan focuses on supporting our partners in sectors such as tourism. The funding level that Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development provided Northwest Territories Arctic Tourism last year leveraged almost a million dollars with the Canadian Tourism Commission. It is our plan for this upcoming fiscal year to assist the NWTAT with obtaining these matching funds again.

There will also be a greater focus on broadening and expanding partnerships with communities in carrying out forest management activities. These activities will be conducted in partnership with aboriginal governments and communities with the objective of creating capacity at the community level and ensuring the direct involvement of aboriginal people in the management of forest resources.

One of the goals of this government is to ensure a balance. This balance includes economic diversification. We plan to enhance our efforts to create opportunities in the traditional economy, arts and crafts and cultural tourism sectors, which are especially appropriate for the smaller communities.

Fur markets are improving, traditional crafts are in demand and the private sector, especially tourism, is seeking ways to build links to the traditional economy. The department is fully engaged in responding to this renewal having completed internal reviews on how we manage the marketing of Northwest Territories fur and provide support to harvesters. As a result of the work carried out by the department, Northwest Territories trappers realized excellent results at the recent auction held in North Bay. We also had success with our northern fur garments featured at a reception hosted by our government during a Team Canada Tour in Texas and most recently in Munich, Germany.

Another area of focus is environmental protection. It is important that we maintain the appropriate balance between developing our abundant natural resources and ensuring the high quality of our land, air and water for future generations. In 2002-2003, we plan to continue to provide programs and services that integrate both resource development and resource management. The following are a few examples:

• • Continued implementation of the Protected Areas Strategy;
• • Developing a database to make informed decisions relating to Mackenzie Valley resource development. The department is proposing a biophysical study of the western Northwest Territories be developed through a partnership with industry, federal government, communities and environmental organizations;
• • Implementing the northern strategy to control greenhouse gases;
• • Bringing forward a proposal for a waste reduction and recycling program, including the recycling of beverage containers; and
• • An Elder's workshop on climate change is planned for this year.

Capacity Building

The third priority the department is focusing on is maximizing benefits to Northwest Territories residents and businesses from resource development. The Mackenzie Valley Development Project remains a key initiative for the department.

Through this project, the department will continue to provide on-going support to the Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation (MVAPC). The Corporation and the Mackenzie Delta Producers Group have announced that they are proceeding with the preparation of a pipeline application. It is expected that a preliminary information package will be submitted during the second quarter of 2002 to the appropriate regulatory agencies, with a full application by mid-year 2003. Current projections are for natural gas to flow by 2008.

Through the Maximizing Northern Employment Program this past year the department, in conjunction with Education, Culture and Employment, supported 31 on-the-job training projects in the private and aboriginal sectors, which resulted in over 200 people receiving training in approximately ten communities. This coming year, the department is proposing to again work with these partners to ensure a maximum number of workplaces are providing training opportunities for Northerners. A special emphasis will be placed on a longer term training strategy for professional and technical positions this coming year.

Investing In Our Future

Finally, the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is focused on the goal of building on investments. I would like to quickly review some of the activities the department has planned in supporting the business community of the Northwest Territories.

The department continues its support for the value-added diamond industry. The Government of the Northwest Territories' new certification and monitoring program is capitalizing on the growing interest in northern diamonds. The department, in partnership with northern manufacturers, is implementing a marketing strategy to complement the monitoring and certification program. This initiative will help position Northwest Territories mined and manufactured Canadian Arctic Diamonds as quality northern products in the competitive diamond market place.

The department is preparing a plan to implement the recommendations from the business program review based on results of consultation on the report. The goal is to provide single window access and improved delivery of business assistance programs. Additionally, in order to improve access to capital for northern businesses, we are working with the Department of Finance to host the first meeting of a Bankers Commission in March.

The objectives of the Northwest Territories Development Corporation are to promote economic diversification, stimulate growth of businesses and create employment, primarily in small communities. Over the past two years, the board of directors has been reviewing its subsidiary operations and taking action for improving these and strengthening its venture partner portfolio.

Conclusion

Thank you for allowing me to provide this overview of the programs and initiatives the department is undertaking. The key to our success will be partnerships, sustainable development, economic diversification and fiscal self-reliance. Mahsi.