Wally Schumann: the Integral Role of Northern Development Practitioners

News Type: 
Speeches

Minister Wally Schumann today delivered remarks to Northwest Territories economic development officers from federal, territorial, municipal, and Aboriginal governments, and the independent boards helping businesses across the territory. 

Schumann spoke to his own history as an entrepreneur, noting that many in the room had helped him realize his business ambitions, and the value mentorship and support provided by these practitioners adds for all small business.   


(Check against delivery) 

Thank you and good afternoon.

It’s a pleasure to be part of this biennial gathering and celebration of our North's economic development practitioners.

In our Territory of vast distances, it is rare that we get the chance to gather in one location to learn together - and from each other.  Conferences like this offer a great opportunity for us to re-engage – and to address the opportunities and challenges faced by NWT businesses.

As an entrepreneur who has grown and advanced my own business ventures in the NWT, I must say that it is exciting to see the strength and diversity of the individuals and organizations that are working to build economic capacity and development in our territory today.

Appropriately, next week is small business week – it will be an opportunity to celebrate this important sector that provides employment opportunities for our people, the economic diversity to weather the ebb and flow of the commodity markets - and which lends the unique vibrance to our communities that make them a great place to live.

I’m looking forward next week to formally recognizing the importance of our North's small business community – and to highlighting what our government is doing to support them.

You here today – represent a big part of that support. 

In fact you are key to achieving the mandate that our government has put forward to grow and diversify the NWT economy.

I would like to take some time today to speak about this mandate; the commitments that we have made in the interest of our economy – and to the important role that you play as economic development practitioners in fulfilling these commitments.

Let's start at the beginning...

As a government, we recognize that we have a responsibility to all residents to develop and implement an integrated, long-range plan to build a territory where communities and regions share in the benefits of a healthy, just, sustainable and prosperous society.

We envision an NWT where our people can thrive and be healthy, where a well-managed environment contributes to our economic wellbeing and quality of life; and where a strong economy provides jobs and opportunities for our communities as well as funding for government programs.

Above all else, it is a thriving economy that will give NWT residents the best chance to support themselves and their families; and give us - as government  - the financial means to pay for the programs and services our people need.

For decades, our economy has been anchored in resource development.  That's not about to change.  The direct and indirect contribution of the non-renewable resource sector accounts for one-third of our economy. 

Over the years, our territory’s rich mining and oil and gas sectors have generated significant employment, skill development and wealth generation; and have facilitated the construction and maintenance of vital economic infrastructure that continues to support economic growth in other sectors.

We continue to implement our Mineral Development Strategy.  It was developed by our governments, economic organizations and the mining industry to be a guide for our actions and investments - and, in doing so, to increase investor certainty, confidence and activity in the NWT. 

We are currently taking the same approach to the development of an oil and gas strategy for our territory.

While commodity prices for oil and gas, and the price of rough diamonds, are currently low, we recognize the need to keep investing in these areas and are working to stimulate a resurgence of investor confidence and major investment in the NWT. 

But that said, we are also investing to diversity our economy and to support growth in our communities.  

As investment and residency in the NWT grow, so too will opportunities to expand and diversify our economy outside of its resource sector - in areas such as tourism, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and the traditional economies.

This is the work that we began two years ago under the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy - informed and guided by input we received from NWT residents, governments, organizations, industries and businesses.  This document continues to be the foundation of our Government’s approach to economic diversification.

To advance the economic diversity that we are seeking, our role as government is to create the competitive business environment, in which NWT residents have the incentive, confidence and tools to invest, take risks and prosper.

As individuals and opportunities flourish locally, success will be reflected in regional economic growth and the sustainability of the NWT’s economy overall.

To that end, we are working to expand the agricultural sector by developing and implementing an Agriculture Strategy.  We are also working to finalize and implement a revitalization plan for our fishing industry. 

We have committed to developing a northern manufacturing strategy. 

We are investing in our film industry.

We continue to invest in tourism and our parks infrastructure.

We are committed to establishing and expanding businesses that sell products from renewable resource harvesting – and finding ways of showcasing and increasing sales of our traditional arts.

We are working to increase exports of NWT products like tourism, diamonds, and fur. Similarly, we are working to attract direct foreign investment in furs, fish, forest products, and tourism.

And we are building partnerships to expand the resources available for community-based traditional economy programs, which can be used to support local operators, culturally-based tourism, and the conservation economy.

The mandate we have identified as government reflects many of the insights and lessons that we learned from the collaborative development of the Economic Opportunities Strategy.

But the challenge of realizing wide ranging opportunities and converting them into real and tangible economic development can only truly be met by NWT entrepreneurs and small businesses. 

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, is tasked with developing, promoting and sustaining this all-important sector of the economy.

We do so with targeted policies, programs and funding initiatives – and through our support of the Business Development and Investment Corporation, Community Futures Organizations and the Canada/NWT Business Service Centre.

Last year we delivered $18.7 million in grants and contributions to more than 1400 individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and groups with an economic interest across the NWT.

We provided needed capital investments and financing in smaller remote communities where it is hard or impossible to get from tradition lenders.

We also provided support services to business owners and potential entrepreneurs to help build their capacity and increase their chances of success.

Most of this work and funding happened through those of you in this room.

As regional and community economic development officers, business development officers, community transfer economic development officers and community futures staff, you are the delivery agents that allow our policies and programs to take effect – that allows funding to flow and that puts a face to government policy and programs.

But you are doing much more than just flowing money. Your work is developing local businesses and economies.

One of the quotes that resonates with me is “mines are big – but its small business and diversity that keeps people in town”.  From food and energy to products and services, it is entrepreneurs and small companies that mitigate the costs of living in our communities. 

They also contribute to the quality of life that keep our communities vibrant – and attracts and keeps people in our North.   From the barber in Fort Simpson, to the artisan in Yellowknife or the tour operator in Inuvik — every one of the small businesses in our 33 communities give our territory its heart and soul.

And, perhaps most importantly, with the NWT’s resource-based economic environment prone to the rise and fall of the world economy, it is the strength of local businesses and economies that buffer and maintain the territory’s overall economic health and stability - and sustain the capacity and self-sufficiency of our communities and their residents.

Our government mandate has brought a renewed focus to supporting community-level business — and to creating the environment in which economic opportunities can be envisioned, pursued and realized.

This is the point that I would like to leave with you today.

One of the strongest assets that we have to meet the mandate that we have set for economic growth and diversification - is the program delivery network that is represented by those of you in this room.

The GNWT has worked hard to identify and develop resources and tools to promote economic development. But we cannot complete this work without each of you.

Strategies and plans can only go part of the way.

You are the ones that work directly with entrepreneurs and community leaders.  You are our direct link to our clients.  Whether you work for your local band, for a community futures organization, a land claims development corporation, or for a branch of government, you are on the front lines of our collaborative efforts to improve the quality of life and economic well being of NWT residents.

For the men and women that are taking the risks – transforming their ideas into solid businesses and providing the energy and innovation to fuel our competitive and prosperous northern business environment – you are the face of our government.

We are not without our challenges.  These are hard times for anybody to be in business – anywhere.

But I encourage you to focus on our advantages and opportunities. The world knows that the NWT is blessed with great resource potential.

Behind it, we have the foundation of a proven and made-in-the-NWT business community that is already committed and equipped to move our economy forward.

As we do, we are going to need all of the collective knowledge, commitment and strength represented here today to ensure that our programs and services are on target, accessible and effective.

You are a powerful resource of northern wisdom and experience that we have every intention of – not only supporting – but drawing on as well.

As you leave here and head back to your respective communities, offices and various tasks, I want you to know that the Government of the Northwest Territories is reliant - and most of all appreciative - of your efforts and the dedication that you bring to your work.

Thank you and good luck.