Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring well-deserved recognition to the NWT Fishermen's Federation for the success of the Great Slave Lake Commercial Fisheries Conference held on May 10th and May 11th in Hay River.
This conference, Mr. Speaker, was very timely as it dealt with a number of issues that were very pertinent to the commercial fishermen of the Northwest Territories.
There were a number of topics discussed at the conference, Mr. Speaker. These included legislation, legislation's impact on the fishing industry, stock management and assessment, financing programs and initiatives, marketing and industry trends, current technology, and last but certainly not least, employment, training and retention.
Mr. Speaker, approximately 80 people attended the conference and participants included commercial fishermen, government officials and industry representatives. I had the distinct pleasure of attending and taking part in this conference, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to state that a number of very important initiatives were discussed.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would also like to personally thank the Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, and the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Western Arctic Member of Parliament, for attending this conference. I was encouraged by their presence and their willingness to address the needs of commercial fishermen.
I am very encouraged, Mr. Speaker, by the ongoing efforts of the NWT Fisherman's Federation to look at a creative and more cost-effective environment for harvesting on the Great Slave Lake.
Mr. Speaker, there should be training programs initiated by the Department of Education in conjunction with our right to address the very real problem of the lack of young people wanting to enter the commercial fishing industry in the North.
Mr. Speaker, the fishermen currently on Great Slave Lake are aging. There are not enough youth coming up through the ranks. I believe there should be incentives for our youth to get on board, so to speak, as I would not want to see this viable industry decline due to a lack of fishermen.
I believe it is imperative, Mr. Speaker, that we as a government should do everything in our power to assist our commercial fishermen in maintaining a longstanding, viable industry. Mr. Speaker, I intend to continue to work with the commercial fishermen to ensure that a sustainable commercial fishery is maintained. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause