Another strategic initiative ITI is focused upon is maximizing opportunities. In 2010-2011 the department plans to support this initiative by proposing investments in a number of programs and projects.
Continuing on our success at Northern House and the 2010 Olympics, ITI proposes a $560,000 investment to promote the NWT as a place to live and work through the National Marketing Campaign. This campaign will target specific regions in Canada and it is designed to address the leakage of employees moving from the NWT to other jurisdictions and its associated fiscal benefits.
The department proposes an increase of $30,000 for a total of $600,000 towards the Sport Hunt Outfitter Marketing Program. This program will assist sport hunting outfitters in targeting new markets for polar bear hunts, such as Mexico and Europe, and refocusing markets to non-consumptive tourism products. This is an important proposed initiative and would help maintain the viability of a business investment operating in this sector.
The SEED Policy has become a very important and popular ITI initiative. This policy promotes business
and community economic development in the NWT. The department is proposing investing an additional $300,000 into the policy for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. This will increase its budget to $3.5 million.
ITI is proposing investing $250,000 in the Mining Workforce Initiative MOU. In partnership with mines, this funding is designed to increase the benefits from mining activity in the NWT by reducing leakage of employment out of the Territory.
The department is also proposing an increase of $125,000 for a total investment of $225,000 to promote NWT artists and arts and fine crafts production. This funding will increase the economic impact and production of arts and fine crafts products in the NWT and will maximize the delivery of programs and services to NWT artists.
This funding is intended to promote our arts and fine crafts sector and open up new markets for our artists and the products they create.
The final strategic initiative I will highlight is ITI’s proposed $150,000 investment to continue to improve infrastructure and upgrade facilities at its territorial parks. The reason the department proposes this investment is to attract park visitors to stay longer and see more of the NWT while they are here.