Current Press Releases

Mr. Speaker, according to new Transport Canada Regulations, tourism operators and guides who use motorized boats in unsheltered waters are now required to attain certain levels of training and certification.

While these new requirements are dependent on a number of factors, they will, nevertheless, have a significant impact on the men and women who make up parts of our tourism industry - and who must now pay the costs to obtain this new certification.

I have been informed by representatives of our tourism industry and Aurora College that – in fact - the expense and logistics of accessing and receiving the required training will not be feasible without government assistance.

For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise Members of this House and the Northwest Territories’ tourism industry that the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, through training investments allocated under the Tourism 2010 Plan, will fund opportunities in coming months. This funding will provide Marine Safety Training courses for those Licensed Tourism Operators in the Northwest Territories impacted by the Transport Canada decision.

The first course of training will be delivered on May 25th to 29th in Yellowknife, with other locations and times to be determined based on demand.

Mr. Speaker, wherever possible this government is committed to investing in education and training that will enhance the opportunities and choices of Northwest Territories residents. I would encourage all individuals impacted by this decision to seek out and obtain the required training by contacting the Department of Industry Tourism and Investment office in their region.

The Department will be sending out notices to the Tourism Operators along with annual registration packages beginning next month.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.