Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. While in Japan I took a couple of minutes of spare time to go and see the Canadian pavilion. Mr. Speaker, its main theme was aurora. Everything had the aurora logo on it, from its posters to its little hologram cards that say Experience Canada. Incidentally, the only card they couldn't keep in stock was the one with the aboriginal picture on it. They just flew out the door.
Watching Japanese people captivated by the light show with their personal enthusiasm was amazing. You would watch them filter out of the pavilion saying how can I go to Canada? Where do I go? Where do I sign up? No one was there to help them. I think we can do something about that. I watched that enthusiasm. I think this government can do something to captivate that enthusiasm.
It is time for bold moves, Mr. Speaker. It is time to create a solid presence in Japan. What I am suggesting is that this government takes a strong hold by opening an office in Tokyo, so the Japanese people can truly get over here to Canada, to the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, Ontario, B.C. and Alberta have offices in Japan and it is time we do, as well. We can only hold onto our reputation in Japan, that is that the Northwest Territories truly has the best aurora. We cannot hold onto that forever without demonstrating our respect for the Japanese people by going to their front door and showing them how important it is that they are a good customer to us.
In closing, when I was in Japan and I told people that I was from Canada, people said, I love Canada. When I told them that I am from Yellowknife, they all said, aurora. Mr. Speaker, let us capture that brand name and bring it straight here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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