It is a tough one to follow up on, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about the importance of the northern manufacturing sector and what it does to the northern economy and how this government can help.

Manufacturing is a small but important growth sector in our economy which is a vital pillar to our North and the growth for the future. There are approximately 100 businesses and at least 400 people that are employed in our northern manufacturing. This includes lumber mills, doors, windows, water tanks, cabinets, and log homes. There are furniture, boats, homes and don’t forget

about those canvas bags made in Fort McPherson. Even in Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Speaker, we have jewellery made by Hau Huynh at Arctic Jewellers and even publishing done down at CanArctic Graphics. So let us not forget about the other people such as artisans. They create crafts, tanned furs and make leather goods and don’t forget about food.

So, Mr. Speaker, as you can see, the list really does go on. What is obvious here is whether you live in Yellowknife or Fort McPherson, manufacturing is not just important to the economy but it is important to Northerners as a whole. We should all find ways to take pride in our northern manufacturers who help our economy and produce products here in the North. However, in some cases we know not everyone knows about these amazing products, these innovative products that are created in our own backyard. These businesses sometimes are facing serious challenges relating to finding and retaining their employees, controlling their costs of the supplies including their power and utility costs. One way or another, most of these businesses are facing substantial marketing challenges. This government can lend that helping hand. That is all they are really looking for. There are more efficient ways that we could work to help connect them with their customers. We could use what I have called the “made in the NWT” promo campaign which I have suggested to past ITI Ministers.

Mr. Speaker, I raised this on several occasions. It wouldn’t take much to design a logo and help develop a marketing campaign that could help support this, our manufacturing industry. Mr. Speaker, it wouldn’t take much more than a simple tag and a certain small promo session. It wouldn’t be complicated but sometimes if you give it to government, they will make it complicated. Mr. Speaker, we hear time and again how the United States talks about “buy America”. Well where is “buy NWT”? Mr. Speaker, promoting northern business is not just a job that we need to do, it is a right we have to make sure we instil so Northerners understand what is important to their economy.

Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, we understand the error of free trade and how it imposes purchasing rules and requirements, but this is not about isolating those products and saying we can’t buy. I want to talk about promoting them and fostering that growth. Mr. Speaker, a lot of people work very hard to promote their products. Where is this government standing behind them? Because promoting home grown manufacturing is

not about protectionism; it is about taking pride in what Northerners do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.