Good evening. It’s good to be home among friends and colleagues from this resilient, dedicated business community.
I would like to congratulate Sherry (DaRosa) Joe (Melanson), Kelly (Schofield), Eileen (Gross) and Steve (Anderson) for taking on the leadership of this important organization for the next year; also to thank Jane (Groenewegen) for her work over the past year in her role as President. The Chamber Board is very much our eyes and ears on business and economic development in this community — and an integral ally for our government
As you face a new term as this community’s chamber, there are reasons to be optimistic about what’s to come. Projects in both the private and public sectors are poised to bring greater prosperity to this area and our territory.
I would like to speak to some of these exciting developments, and our vision for supporting opportunity with smart investments in economic development and infrastructure.
Our job, as government, is to foster an environment where business can thrive, and to invest in progress so new ones can grow. There are a number ways and areas in which we are taking action to reach this end.
Most recently, we released the NWT’s first-ever agriculture strategy, which aims to stimulate and support food production across the territory. As the heart of our territorial agriculture sector, Hay River stands to benefit significantly from the economic opportunity and access to fresh, locally-grown food that this strategy wishes to stimulate.
We know it’s possible. We continue to see Polar Eggs lead the way for commercial agriculture in the NWT. Their success is proof that with smart investments and savvy planning, we can see big, positive changes for NWT agriculture in the coming years.
I’d be remiss if I were not to also recognize the Northern Farm Training Institute for their continued stewardship of the NWT’s evolving agriculture scene. With the renewed focus our government has placed on agriculture, they will be a valuable ally in moving our agenda forward.
During this past session, it was also my pleasure to unveil our strategy to revitalize the Great Slave Lake fishery. This plan provides an approach to address the challenges that have been faced by his industry over the last decade. It includes measures to optimize resource management, increase production capacity, and train the next generation of fishers to steward our fish stock. We appreciate the NWT Fishermen’s Federation’s support in putting this plan together — and their commitment to collaborate with the territorial and federal governments on its implementation.
We’ve already committed $1.2 million to move this work along – including we hope - an overhaul of Hay River’s fish processing plant so it can once-again be the base for NWT commercial fish production. Meanwhile, thanks to changes in our Fishers Support Program, we saw increases to catch volumes on the lake last summer. And an eight-month training session is ongoing at the friendship centre to help inspire a new generation of fishers to take up the torch for the Great Slave fishery.
Our next focus will be to invest in a similar strategy process to strengthen NWT manufacturing. Hay River — and the South Slave generally — have an active, engaged group of manufacturers. We look forward to working with the NWT Manufacturing Association to identify the best ways to secure a strong future for the sector.
As with the NWT as a whole, this region has greater opportunity with a solid foundation of mineral development. And, for the first time in years, there is a promising mineral exploration project underway in the South Slave. The Darnley Bay Resources zinc exploration project aims to find new life in the Pine Point property, which once employed hundreds and generated millions for the local economy. With a drilling program underway, the project continues to move forward.
To ensure mining and exploration, we’ve redoubled our commitment to our Mineral Development Strategy. Specifically, we have extended our Work Credit Program to help steady the ship for early-stage explorers through a volatile commodities cycle. We’ve expanded our Mining Incentive Program to offer $1 million this year to explorers and prospectors to stimulate even more projects like Darnley Bay in the South Slave and beyond. And we’re just months away from opening a geological core facility so explorers can find new opportunities from deposits across the territory at a fraction of the cost.
Key to us moving forward as a territory will be a strong backbone of infrastructure. To this end, and with my infrastructure Minister’s hat on, I would like to conclude by highlighting three projects in particular which will have positive impacts and benefits for Hay River and the South Slave.
Last week, we began the formal process to identify a proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the proposed Tłı̨chǫ All Season Road to Whatì.
The construction of this road is a priority of the 18th Legislative Assembly. It is a critical piece of infrastructure that will result in significant benefits for the Tłı̨chǫ region and facilitate growth for the NWT economy. In addition to resulting in a lower cost of living in the area, and responding to ever increasing challenges generated by climate change, this project also has the potential to create a solid, reliable job market for Hay River residents – and a significant contracting opportunity for Hay River based businesses.
Second, we’re working to restore the Port of Hay River. This harbour is our primary marine hub and supports critical services to businesses and individuals across our territory. Significant progress has been made to date in the rehabilitation of the harbour: a sounding survey was undertaken by the Canadian Coast Guard, and a technical review of harbour infrastructure was done by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Their results are being used to define the full scope of work required to address issues in the harbour.
The Department of Transportation continues to work to identify opportunities under the federal Ocean Protection Plan and other federal funding programs to dredge the Hay River Harbour. This activity will help the harbor reach its full potential by improving its capacity and instilling greater confidence in its users.
Finally, we’ve also taken action to secure the future of barging in Hay River by taking on equipment once owned by NTCL. Hay River is distinguished as Canada’s northernmost railhead and freshwater port. Barge operations from here connect a continent-long supply chain that we do not intend to see relocated.
We have stepped up to keep this pivotal piece of our territory’s transportation infrastructure intact and in Hay River.
Our investment will ensure that critical goods and services get to the NWT communities that rely on marine resupply. It will provide opportunities for some former NTCL employees to return to work while we benefit from their experience; and it means that these marine operations will continue to be headquartered here in Hay River.
Our decision will also serve to encourage and complement CN’s continued investment in their spur line to the NWT and to maintain the intermodal supply chain that we have established from Alberta to the Mackenzie Delta. It opens the door for partnership ventures with NWT businesses and the federal government; as well as new revenue streams for investment in marine infrastructure.
Ladies and gentlemen, each of these projects and opportunities are important to realizing the full potential of our Northwest Territories. When Hay River succeeds, so does the NWT. We’re committed to doing our part as a government to see them through. As someone who’s seen firsthand what Hay River can do when given the right tools, I know our time and money will be well-spent doing so.
Thank you.