Mr. Speaker, as investment and residency in the NWT grow we will be able to expand and diversify our economy outside of its resource sector in areas like tourism, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and the traditional economies. While the GNWT is working to create investor confidence in the Northwest Territories, we are always investing to diversify our economy and to grow our communities. This work is being guided by the NWT Economic Opportunity Strategy which we published two years ago. The strategy emphasizes increased support for entrepreneurs and opens the doors to new partnerships and ideas. It highlights growth areas in regional economies and investments and supports needed by NWT residents and their businesses.
The responsibility of guiding this work rests with the Economic Opportunity Strategy's government committee that contributed to its development: The NWT Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Aboriginal Business Association, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities, the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, CANNOR and the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Industry, Tourism and Industry. The collaborative approach taken to implementing the Northwest Territories Economic Opportunity Strategy confirms that all government departments and strategy partners have a role to play in developing a new economic environment for the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, of the 117 recommendations put forward in the strategy, 92 per cent have been addressed. In fact, many of the actions and investments recommended in the strategy are now part of the government's mandate. Implementing them supports our commitment and highlights the role that this strategy can play in promoting economic growth and diversity in the NWT. Earlier this year, the Economic Opportunities Strategy Governance Committee identified 10 priority areas in which ITI will be advancing initiatives and investments, and I would like to highlight these for Members today.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to expand the agricultural sector by developing and implementing an Agriculture Strategy. Developing this sector is a priority and we look forward to introducing a formal strategy shortly to support and guide its growth based on our public and stakeholder engagements, and the direct input of this Assembly.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has also made a mandate commitment to finalize and implement a Commercial Fisheries Revitalization Strategy. We will be advancing a plan for the Great Slave Lake fishery to promote and revitalize commercial fishing in our territory in response to this commitment.
Mr. Speaker, our work to identify a viable, balanced and made-in-the-Northwest Territories approach to advancing oil and gas development in the NWT results from our mandate commitment to develop a long-term strategy to attract oil and gas development in our territory. Work is ongoing with the input of Members, Aboriginal governments and organizations, industry representatives and the public.
We have committed to developing a Northern Manufacturing Strategy and look forward to collaborating with industry and the Northwest Territories Manufacturers' Association to develop a formal strategy for the manufacture and sale of made-in-the-Northwest Territories products and to enhance the value-added processing of materials sourced in the NWT like diamonds and biomass fuels.
We will complete and implement Economic Development Plans to diversify and capture community and regional economic opportunities in each of the five regions. We will work to advance economic opportunities made possible by the installation of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Line. Finally, we will continue to invest in the success of our Tourism Plan 2020, the NWT Mineral Development Strategy, and the NWT Film Strategy and Action Plan.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Economic Opportunities Strategy was created to guide the government’s programs and actions to develop the economic potential in all regions of the NWT, to strengthen and diversify the NWT economy, and to advance and enhance the quality of life for all NWT residents. The Government of the Northwest Territories remains committed to this strategy and its vision which continues to be reflected in our mandate activities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.