Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my Member's statement today is about the Deh Cho Business Conference taking place at the Chief Lamalice Complex on the Hay River Reserve this week.
The theme for this conference is preparing for the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline, and the event gets underway today and runs for three days. The conference will focus on how business can capitalize on all aspects of the proposed pipeline from exploration to construction right through to pipeline maintenance.
It is well known that the proposed pipeline provides an unprecedented business opportunity for the NWT. Being ready to take advantage of it is absolutely crucial. This conference is geared to provide practical, how-to information about how to make the most of the opportunities that will be literally on our doorstep.
Mr. Speaker, conferences are great for raising and bringing energy and focus to an issue, and I congratulate the Deh Cho Economic Corporation for taking the initiative to host this event, and the GNWT, and the Government of Canada, and the Mackenzie gas project for their support. This is a great example of what can be achieved when industry and government work together.
The agenda for the conference looks promising, Mr. Speaker. Today's sessions include presentations from key individuals from the Mackenzie gas project. They will provide information about the proposed pipeline and potential business investment opportunities. Time has been allocated for a question and answer period to facilitate a free exchange and dialogue. Specialists will be sharing forecasts for long-term oil and gas activity in the NWT, including five and 10-year estimates. Knowledge is power, Mr. Speaker, and the information available to the conference participants is exactly what is needed so that businesspeople can do what they do best: use their energy and imagination to make things happen.
Mr. Speaker, government representatives from the GNWT and the federal government will be in attendance to provide information about the roles and responsibilities and support that will be provided by government. The business potential of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline is enormous. Some of the possible business opportunities identified by conference operators are: communication; transportation providers; fuel suppliers and fuel storage; construction; equipment and office rentals; personnel requirements; safety and medical; drilling completion and well servicing; and the list goes on and on, Mr. Speaker.
The business potential of the proposed pipeline is as vast as our imaginations. Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Economic Conference is a wonderful opportunity for businesses in the Deh Cho, and I am sure the event will be a big success. I hope as many people as possible will take advantage of what it has to offer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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