Mr. Speaker, the NWT is home to a small, but vibrant manufacturing sector. We manufacture a range of products in the Northwest Territories, from signs and steel girders, to roof trusses, windows and fibreglass tanks. As other industrial sectors such as mining, oil and gas, and construction expand, there are opportunities for expansion within the manufacturing sector.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy identified the potential for strengthening the economic viability of the manufacturing industry and increasing opportunities for investment in the NWT. Today I would like to update Members on the efforts we are making to strengthen, revitalize and grow this important segment of our economy.

Manufacturing in the NWT is supported primarily by allowances in the GNWT's procurement process, which recognize higher production costs for made-in-the-NWT products.

The GNWT's Business Incentive Policy and NWT Manufactured Products Policy are designed to help ensure government purchases are made through NWT-owned businesses, thereby leveraging this investment into the business and manufacturing sector.

In addition, improved procurement services have been introduced by PWS under their new centralized procurement function, which provides a more streamlined and transparent procurement experience in support of the manufacturing sector.

Mr. Speaker, we are also developing new promotional materials to increase industry and public awareness of existing manufacturers and their products and for the NWT Manufactured Products Policy. We will continue to expand the presence and profile of our manufacturing industry on our website, in the media and in our economy.

We have also taken steps to re-establish the NWT Manufacturers' Association as a voice for this sector and a forum through which we can seek guidance and input for future planning and investment in support of this sector.

I am pleased to say we are meeting manufacturers on their own turf. In January in Hay River, and most recently this past Friday in Yellowknife, the department heads from our primary procurement departments toured local manufacturing facilities.

This gave us the opportunity to share information and we were able to learn from the business owners about their challenges and successes and how we can work together to expand the support network to the manufacturing sector, which in turn will lead to business development and economic growth.

In the coming months we will be identifying and taking actions to connect potential users of made-in-the-NWT products with the NWT manufacturing community. We will be reaching into the business community to identify new and potential manufacturing opportunities.

Manufacturing in the NWT has significant potential for growth, Mr. Speaker, and the GNWT is very committed to supporting this industry in order to realize its full potential. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.