Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last couple of years there have been an increasing number of large conference meetings in the Northwest Territories. This summer, Yellowknife hosted the International Congress on Circumpolar Health, which was a huge success. It brought in hundreds of visitors to Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories; new visitors injecting new money into this economy.
This is clear evidence that events of this magnitude can successfully be facilitated within the Northwest Territories. Yellowknife, as an example, has the capacity to facilitate large conferences. Without including billeting and bed-and-breakfast, Yellowknife has over 695 sleeping rooms available, as well as large meeting locations including school gyms and other commercial rooms to handle large groups. The capacity does exist.
For years different groups throughout Yellowknife have been discussing the construction of a conference centre. Many feel that a conference centre would be a draw and support the tourism industry in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. Many want government funds for the construction of a facility.
While there is value in building a conference centre, I’m not convinced the GNWT should be involved in paying for its construction. I am, however, convinced that the GNWT does have a role in helping promote the Northwest Territories as a great location for organizations to hold conferences.
To take advantage of this opportunity, I’d like to bring forward an idea that was recently brought to me from a constituent, which I believe has a significant amount of merit. Throughout the NWT there are a large number of associations with large numbers of members. Associations like the NWT Medical Association, the Registered Nurses’ Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Certified General Accountants Association, the NWT Chamber of Commerce, the NWT Chamber of Mines, and so on. The majority of these associations have a national counterpart, some even have an international counterpart. My constituent’s suggestion was to provide some moderate financial reward to NWT-based associations when they convince their national or international counterparts to come to the NWT for their annual conferences or AGMs. This could be a great opportunity for both local associations and the Northwest Territories as a whole.
SEED funding currently exists to help promote diversity in our economy throughout the NWT. I believe with some minor amendments to this program, we could easily utilize it to support a
conference incentive to local northern associations. With this incentive in place, I believe that many local associations would be happy and willing to begin campaigning their national and international bodies to come to the NWT for their annual meetings and conferences.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.