Mr. Chairman, before I get into our department’s proposed strategic initiatives, I want to take a few moments to talk about some major ongoing projects and programs ITI is involved with and the funding we are proposing to spend on them.
The Mackenzie Gas Project is one of great importance to this government. As a result, the department will continue to allocate $2 million in existing funding to go towards its work on this proposed project and to support the work of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline office in coordinating the government’s planning and response to the MGP. This funding will also allow us to continue our
support for the Aboriginal Pipeline Group, while fulfilling our government obligations and ensuring communities benefit from the MGP if it proceeds.
Reducing our reliance on diesel fuel for power generation, cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions and developing more renewable energy sources are all priorities of this government. That is why the department continues to support the NWT Energy Corporation in its efforts to expand the Taltson Hydro system. This proposed project is currently in the environmental review process.
ITI also proposes spending $1.3 million on the Tourism Product Diversification and Marketing Fund, which assists tourism businesses to develop new tourism products and diversify their product base. Since the fund was started in 2007-2008, ITI has distributed $3.42 million in assistance to tourism businesses.
Perhaps no one area of the department addresses as much in the NWT economy for individuals as our traditional economy programs. From the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program to the Take-a-Kid Trapping Program and the Community Harvesters Assistance Program, the department’s continued focus on the traditional economy assists in diversifying our economy and providing all regions and communities with choice. The department proposes continued investment of $1.97 million in our traditional economy programs in 2010-2011.
Mr. Chairman, the government will achieve its vision of the 16th Legislative Assembly through five
strategic actions. These actions are:
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Building our Future
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Reducing the Cost of Living
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Maximizing Opportunities
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Managing the Land
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Refocusing Government.
In our efforts to achieve those strategic actions, our department has focused on renewable energy projects like the Sahtu Hydro Assessment and Lutselk’e Mini-Hydro Facility, to wean our Territory off of diesel power generation and reduce the cost of living in our smaller communities.
We have invested in our entrepreneurs and our small businesses through continued support to the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy, SEED. We have worked on maximizing opportunities through investments in promoting our talented NWT artists and the arts and fine crafts they produce. And we have worked to assist our communities in being healthier and more self-sufficient through our investments in agricultural infrastructure development and promotion of the commercial processing and marketing of NWT fish and meat.
Mr. Chairman, all of these efforts are directed at achieving the 16th Legislative Assembly’s vision of
strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories. I will now go over some of the key strategic initiatives this department proposes for the coming fiscal year to help the government achieve its vision.