Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2023-2024 Main Estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, or ITI. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $1.9 million or 3.1 percent over the 2022-2023 Main Estimates. These estimates support the mandate objectives for the Department of ITI while continuing to meet the Government of the Northwest Territories fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.
Highlights of the proposed estimates include:
- initiative funding totalling $1.40 million, which includes:
- $324,000 to continue our support of the tourism sector under Tourism 2025 towards the five-year investment strategy for the tourism sector;
- $280,000 under the Mineral Development Strategy focused on a Resource and Energy Development Information, or REDI, program designed to improve awareness, understanding, and participation in the Northwest Territories natural resource regulatory system, promotion and marketing; and prospector training, to deliver in-person and virtual introduction to prospecting courses to residents across the Northwest Territories;
- $250,000 to support the development and implementation of regional tourism marketing initiatives;
- $200,000 to increase funding for our Mining Incentive Program to stimulate prospecting and exploration, and increase resource exploration and development in our territory in line with our mandate commitment; and
- $200,000 to continue our support for the growth of film and media sector and increasing the competitiveness of the Northwest Territories NWT generate benefits to the Northwest Territories economy.
- Forced growth funding totalling $169,000, which includes:
- $70,000 to increase contributions to the Northwest Territories tourism to address the rising fixed costs due to inflation and provide stability as the tourism industry returns to pre-COVID levels; and
- $35,000 in funding for the Community Transfer Initiatives Program and $18,000 in funding for the NWT Community Futures Program which are economic development initiatives designed to support business and economic capacity building in the Northwest Territories.
- A change in accounting treatment of $732,000 for the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Program, or CAP, stemming from the review of the Office of the Auditor General that indicated that CAP should be reported as a cost-shared agreement and funding should be classified and reported in Fund 1 operation expenses;
- Other adjustments of $383,000, comprising of $323,000 for secondment program funding, $50,000 for assessing the Northwest Territories Geological Materials for Cement Production, and $10,000 for French language communications and services; offset by a reduction to the contract services budget of $211,000 and $58,000 funding transfer for the office lease cost in Hay River to the Department of Infrastructure; and finally
- Sunsets of $884,000.
These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and vision of Budget 2023, notably by the following:
- A regional approach to service delivery, where many of the department's programs are delivered in partnership with community organizations to support regional decision-making and increasing employment in small communities;
- Focusing on economic diversification by supporting growth in a variety of our sectors and continuing engagement with Indigenous governments, regional and industry leaders, and community members across the territory, on establishing regional economic development plans to increase awareness of economic opportunities;
- Supporting the re-emergence of the tourism sector through the endemic phase of COVID-19;
- Planning to take advantage of Northwest Territories critical minerals to improve mineral security, strengthening the competitiveness of the critical mineral industry, and support the development of secure and reliable supply chains;
- Advance the development of the Mineral Resources Act regulations in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Council, including modernizing the Northwest Territories approach to royalties and socio-economic agreements and to support adopting a benefit retention approach to economic development; and last,
- Finalizing construction and opening of the Hay River fish plant, negotiating a new agreement with the federal government for support for northern agriculture, and collaboration with the Ministers of Health and Social Services, Environment and Natural Resources, and Executive and Indigenous Affairs, to support increasing food security through locally produced, harvested, and affordable food.
That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you.