Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to present the 2015-2016 Main Estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Overall, the department’s main estimates propose total operational costs of approximately $65.6 million for this coming fiscal year, an increase of over $3 million, or 5.6 percent, from ‘14-15. This includes sunsets of over $4.4 million, over $6 million in new initiatives and nearly $800,000 in forced growth, most of which is collective bargaining increases. It also includes the transfer of ITI’s energy planning division and associated initiatives to Public Works and Services at nearly $1.7 million as well as a transfer of $2.3 million to Environment and Natural Resources to implement the realignment of fur harvester support programming.

The mandate of ITI is to promote economic self-sufficiency through responsible management and sustainable development of Northwest Territories’ mineral and petroleum resources and the promotion and support of trade, tourism, agriculture, film, fisheries, business and manufacturing. Through our mandate, we support this government’s commitment to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to build a stronger future for themselves, their families and their communities.

In 2015-2016 ITI will help to strengthen and diversify the NWT economy by proposing

investments in a number of programs and projects. This includes a focus on implementing strategies to support economic growth and prosperity as well as initiatives to support the added responsibilities that ITI now has as a result of devolution.

The Northwest Territories’ future economic growth is closely linked to mineral development, and through the advancement of the Mineral Development Strategy Implementation Plan, ITI is proposing to invest $1.4 million in 2015-2016 towards initiatives outlined in the implementation plan, including: • $650,000 for the Northwest Territories

Geoscience Office to deliver its Geoscience Research Program, which helps to provide publicly available geoscience information, supports resource development and land use decisions, and attracts mineral exploration activities and investment.

• $400,000 for the Mining Incentive Program. This

program was launched in June 2014 to provide funding to eligible prospectors and mining exploration companies operating in the NWT, offsetting some of the financial risks associated with grassroots mineral development.

• $100,000 for Aboriginal capacity building. The

funding will be used to support Aboriginal organizations and communities to participate in the consultation and decision-making process related to mineral development.

• $149,000 to support business coordination,

helping to connect NWT business owners with those involved in the mining industry and to identify development opportunities in the regions.

• $140,000 to market and promote the NWT as

an attractive place for investment in responsible mineral exploration and development.

ITI also proposes $85,000 in the coming year for purchases necessary to relocate geological materials to the proposed Geological Materials Storage Facility. This facility will house the GNWT’s significant geological collection, which will provide key information to prospectors and exploration companies, helping to lower their costs, reduce the environmental footprint of exploration and support future exploration. Another key objective for ITI in the coming fiscal year is to invest in the actions outlined in the Economic Opportunities Strategy Implementation Plan. The EOS plan focuses on diversifying the economy through supporting the NWT’s small business community; pursuing major investment projects; growing a stable and attractive entrepreneurial environment; and attracting, retaining and preparing residents to become active participants in the territory’s economic environment.

ITI proposes to invest $2.4 million for the ‘15-16 fiscal year in the following EOS initiatives: • $1.5 million to revitalize the commercial fishing

industry through the construction of a new fish plant, raising the profile for fish harvested in the territory and marketing locally caught fish to consumers, and improving our capability to export through the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation.

• $461,000 in tourism-related initiatives including

tourism product diversification and marketing, infrastructure to support community-based tourism, a convention bureau to profile the NWT as a top conference destination, and support to address gaps in the hospitality and tourism training needs.

• $100,000 in support for the film industry through

a new rebate program that will help to increase film production by providing incentives to production filming on location in the NWT.

• $200,000 for regional economic plans, to help

residents across the territory to become directly involved in planning regional development activities.

• $100,000 to develop an agricultural strategy to

support the agriculture industry, which has been flourishing across the territory the past few years and holds great promise for future development and lowering the cost of living.

• $100,000 for business internships support to

assist small businesses, particularly those located outside the regional centres, and to attract and retain qualified people.

ITI supports this government’s priority to ensure the francophone community in the NWT can access programs and services in French. Therefore, the department is looking to invest $272,000 in 2015-2016 to provide these services.

ITI also supports this government’s goal to increase employment opportunities in the regions, where they are needed most. ITI is already a highly decentralized organization with five regional offices and a BIP office located in Hay River, and the petroleum resources division, which has offices in Hay River and Inuvik.

For 2015-2016 ITI plans to relocate the territorial parks office from Yellowknife to Hay River.

To support parks operations in the South Slave and Beaufort-Delta regions, forced growth funding of $112,000 is being proposed to cover increased operational costs associated with utilities and park operator contracts. Existing internal resources have been reallocated to pay for an additional parks officer in the South Slave region, to be located in Fort Providence.

While support for new programs and initiatives is important to foster economic development and opportunities for residents and businesses, the department will continue to invest in existing programs and services that help to provide economic benefits throughout the NWT. It is the programs and services available at the community level that directly impact the lives of our residents.

The information I have shared today are some of the many examples of how ITI works on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories to provide residents and businesses in all communities with opportunities and options to turn potential into prosperity. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.