Current Press Releases

It’s a pleasure to be here and to see the strength and diversity of the network of individuals and organizations that are ready and willing to invest in the North and in the NWT’s economic capacity and development.

I would like to thank the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and specifically Joanne Beaton – the Chair. All of us here tonight appreciate the hard work that you and your team put into organizing this event and specifically this banquet.

We look forward to your continued commitment to the Northwest Territories - and to our economic future. The Government of the Northwest Territories is working to realize a vision that is characterized by its title “Northerners Working Together”.

As an economic and business community, I think that we have gone a long way to embracing that spirit here this week.

These events – and others like the Start Your Engines Conference in Hay River and the annual Inuvik Petroleum Show – offer great examples of the spirit of partnership that has developed between Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

The longstanding economic relationship between our jurisdictions is strong.

Yesterday, Premier Roland outlined to you many of the benefits that can be realized by Alberta companies willing to look up north to invest and do business. Tonight I would like to talk about our need for an even more important resource. Today, in the Northwest Territories - more than anything else – we need people.

We are going to take the opportunity this evening to represent some of the highlights of our North – both in picture and in entertainment – and encourage you to look north next time - not just to invest or do business - but to visit and perhaps live.

Visiting and living in the Northwest Territories go hand in hand. In fact we say that – when it comes down to it - there are only two kinds of real northerners:

There are those of us that were born in the North and there are those who came North to visit for two weeks – and have never left. This evening, as we celebrate the successful conclusion of another Meet the North Conference, I would like to offer you my top Ten Reasons to live in the Northwest Territories.

#10 – In our communities, you can be anywhere you need to be in 10 minutes.

Those of you who live in larger cities in the south may appreciate and be jealous that my daily commute to work in Yellowknife takes me approximately 10 minutes – that’s when I am walking. It would take less time if I were to drive.

While you can be anywhere in 10 minutes, the #9 reason to live in the Northwest Territories is that a 10 minute drive can also put you in the middle of our spectacular wilderness. The NWT is a vast, sparsely populated, region of Canada. While this presents logistical challenges to us as a Government, the reward for residents of our Territory is that 10 minutes after you leave your home, anywhere in the NWT, you can be fishing, hiking, canoeing or simply relaxing in the fresh, clear and pristine Northern wilderness environment.

Reason #8 to live in the Northwest Territories: It is a tourist’s paradise.

According to Gorp International Travel, the Northwest Territories is home to two of Canada’s greatest outdoor activities: Casting into the deepest fresh water body of water in North America – the Great Slave Lake – which ranks in their top 10 and Rafting on the South Nahanni River almost made it -it ranked 12th.

Other activities considered to be among the best in Canada are camping in the tranquility of our parks and kayaking in the Arctic Ocean.

You can golf 24 hours a day under our summer sun – or in the winter - take crystal clear pictures of the aurora borealis from your front porch.

Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world visit the Northwest Territories and have experiences that – for us – are just a part of everyday life. This leads into the #7 reason to live in the Northwest Territories – the environment.

From the Nahanni National Park to the Mackenzie Mountains – up the Mackenzie Valley to the frozen Arctic Pingos, the view in our back yard is - in a word – spectacular. A vast beautiful adventure landscape untouched in many places – spaces where if you are quiet you are likely to see a bull moose, numerous birds, a caribou herd or a grizzly bear.

I’m also proud to say that the Northwest Territories has been a world leader in establishing effective co-management of our natural resources. We are working today to make sure our natural environment - land, air and water will remain available for many generations to come. It’s a commitment that all of our people share in.

Reason #6 – Consensus Government.

The size and nature of our unique style of government includes a commitment to open dialogue, inclusive decision-making, accommodation, respect and trust. It is more responsive to the needs of individual residents.

With only 42,000 of us in the NWT, our territory is a place where a person with a vision can make their mark. Entrepreneurs can find opportunity and succeed in business.

This leads to the #5 reason to live in the Northwest Territories is why we are all here tonight. That is – the economic and business opportunities that exist. The NWT has limited financial and labour capacity. We do not have sufficient capital to finance all of the major projects or take advantage of all of the opportunities that exist in our Territory. As a result many partnerships and joint ventures have emerged between northern and southern companies to promote and service development.

Total capital investment in the Northwest Territories in 2009 is estimated at $1.2 billion dollars with private investment making up the majority of this expenditure. Last year, the NWT imported over $3.1 billion in goods and services with a majority of this sourced through Alberta businesses.

These stats underscore the potential and opportunity that exists for investors and companies that are willing to work with us to explore and develop our Territory. Despite the common stereotype of Canada’s Arctic frontier, NWT’s residents enjoy a rich and diverse quality of life.

The #4 reason – then – to live in the Northwest Territories is Earning Capacity. Simply stated, the more you earn, the more you keep.

On average, our employment rates are traditionally the highest in Canada.

While our residents lay claim to the highest household incomes in Canada we also have some of the lowest personal income tax rates. Many people living in the Northwest Territories have after-tax salaries that are higher than in the rest of the country.

When you consider federal incentives such as the Northern Residency Deduction, we have the third lowest taxation rate on earnings up to $100,000 per year. Just for the record, that puts us ahead of Alberta.

My #3 Reason to live in the NWT is our Safe, Vibrant Communities.

As a Government, we are investing heavily in creating a positive environment in which to grow and raise a family. Clean air, water, and pristine wilderness combined with modern amenities provide a healthy environment and lifestyle for families living in the North.

Our health care facilities are state-of-the-art. Education spending per student is three times the national average.

Living in the Northwest Territories has had a very positive impact on the lives of many exceptional NWT residents.

Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of Canada, is the youngest head of any national banking system in the world. He grew up in Fort Smith. In fact, the NWT has laid claim to more than our share of professional and Olympic athletes, Hollywood superstars, Governor General Award winners and businesses that have earned national accolades.

We like to think that special things happen in the NWT because of the special people who call it home. The #2 reason to live in the NWT is our people.

The history, language, arts and cultural customs of our region’s original people are an integral part of who we are. But we also have welcomed the values, traditions and contributions of those from around the world that have already chosen to make the North their home. Collectively, we are first and foremost northerners – our spirit is proud, resilient and vibrant.

For a territory of less than 50,000 people, we have some amazing success stories. It’s all part of living in a place where everybody knows your name…where everyone is part of a supportive network. The NWT is a community.

These 9 reasons that have outlined to you today come together to create what I think is the #1 reason to live in the NWT today – That is: our potential.

We are one of the most exciting economic jurisdictions in Canada.

Our Territory is rich in untapped natural resources. We have abundant oil and natural gas reserves heavily sought by North America’s hungry energy market. Our mineral potential is vast and varied: Diamonds, gold, silver, lead, zinc, rare earths and precious metals will continue to drive valuable exploration and interest in every region of our Territory.

Our rivers and lakes offer incredible possibilities for hydro development, and our unique landscape, cultures, traditions, arts and crafts are proving to be a marketable global attraction for visitors from around the world. I would like to invite each one of you here tonight to be a part of our exciting future. So before I close off – I hope that all of you will join us at the Inuvik Petroleum Show June 17-18.

So thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you in our territory – whether you are visiting, investing - or best of all - relocating!

Good night – enjoy your evening.