This season, Aurora viewing companies are expecting 11,000 visitors, a 10 percent increase over the number that visited last year.
Mr. Speaker, I will co-chair an oversight review committee with my colleague, the Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Jane Groenewegen, to oversee planning for the Northwest Territories participation at Expo 2005.
Currently, work is underway to prepare for our participation in this important event. We intend to highlight all aspects of the Northwest Territories, with specific focus on tourism, diamonds, culture and the arts. We are also very interested in working with private sector partners to market the Northwest Territories and its products. This provides an opportunity to enhance our presentation at Expo 2005 through the levering of partnership funding from the private sector.
I look forward to participating with Canada, our tourism industry and private sector partners in promoting the Northwest Territories as a prime international destination for tourism and business. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause