Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we work to expand and diversify the Northwest Territories' economy, we often point to tourism as the promising new sector. We used to talk about the Japanese quite a bit, but we recently know that visitors come from a few different Asian countries, including China.
That's as a result of a lot of planning, work, and expense that this government, working with the private sector, invested in developing that relationship. People and resources from various departments have been applied to the China file over the last 10 or 12 years. As recently as last summer, the Minister of ITI led a delegation to China with the goal of making the NWT top-of-mind for tourists from the world's largest market.
The result is that we have new NWT residents from China, and the benefits of tourism are beginning to spread beyond the capital city. There's a lot to be gained in this valuable relationship.
Now, Mr. Speaker, this valuable relationship may be put at risk by issues between the federal government and China. In spite of our often-stated intention to improve the relationship and increase trade between Canada and China, we recently put that to the test by arresting a high-profile Chinese executive. They in turn have arrested two Canadians.
I recognize that Canada has responsibilities within international law, Mr. Speaker, but one might think that the feds would try to build bridges instead of burning them. Regardless, the relationship that less than a year ago held so much potential and promise now appears to be vulnerable and weak.
Because of these changes, Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering what our government has done to convey our concerns to Ottawa. We need to be making sure the federal government is very aware of what this might cost our territory. Let's be energetic in making sure Ottawa understands the potential risks to our growing tourism sector, and our access to this huge market of travellers. What has this government done to repair the damage that this conflict may have caused?
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I'll have questions for the Premier. Thank you.