Northwest Territories News

FORT SMITH (July 4, 2014) – Inmates in a Fort Smith facility have chosen to once again help their community and learn valuable skills in the process.  The Bikes for Kids program is a joint initiative with many partners in Fort Smith.

The Fort Smith Métis Council approached corrections facility staff to see if they would be interested in having inmates learn to repair unclaimed bikes provided either by the Town of Fort Smith or donated by community members.  Staff at the Fort Smith Correctional Complex (Male Unit) quickly saw the benefits both for the inmates and community and agreed to start the Bikes for Kids program. The Métis Council provided funds towards the purchase of tools and bike parts and local business partners in the community, such as Lou’s Small Engines, were quick to agree to match funds for the needed tools.

“People in every community in the Northwest Territories use bikes but few have people who can do bicycle repairs,” said Minister of Justice David Ramsay. “The skills the inmates learn will be transferable when they return home and is one more avenue that could present future employment for inmates. The added bonus is that kids who might not otherwise have them can have a chance to get a bike of their own.”

Inmates felt so strongly about the work and the chance to give back to their community that they took money from their Inmates’ Welfare fund to start the project off and bought two new bikes, as repaired bikes were not yet ready to be donated.  The Fort Smith Métis Council matched their donation, allowing a total of four bikes to be presented to deserving Grade 1 and 2 students at the end-of-year celebration at Joseph Burr Tyrell School.

One organization has already had the opportunity to use the services to repair a child’s bike.  Mary Bishop, Acting Social Work Supervisor for the Fort Smith Health Authority, sent a letter to the inmates thanking them for their good work, “we are sure this program will be a great success. It’s a wonderful idea for the inmates and for our community,” said Bishop.

For more information:
Sue Glowach
Department of Justice
Tel: 867-920-3130
Email: sue_glowach@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (July 3, 2014) – The delivery of funding to filmmakers in the Northwest Territories has been improved to better reflect the stages through which a film is developed, thanks to revised Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) film funding contribution guidelines.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) is now providing funding for film development under the Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy.  The funding will assist with costs associated with completing film projects in two key areas: small production and trailer/pitch production.

The existing Marketing and Promotion category has also been adjusted to provide separate dedicated funding for pitch marketing and production and services marketing.

“We have seen an exciting growth in our film industry and we want to continue to improve and adapt our programs to provide the most timely and appropriate supports for resident filmmakers,” said Minister of ITI David Ramsay. “Broadening our criteria means we will be better able to provide NWT filmmakers with the financial support they need to do what they do best.”

Through SEED, the GNWT provides $100,000 in support of NWT filmmakers annually. Improvements to the SEED funding for filmmakers were identified and designed in consultation with the NWT Film Commission, ITI regional offices and the NWT Professional Media Association.

Program improvements to the GNWT’s film funding contributions were identified in part through the ongoing process to develop an NWT film strategy and come in response to recommendations made in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy.

Backgrounder – GNWT Film Funding

For more information:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: alayna_ward@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (July 2, 2014) – The Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO) in the Northwest Territories has launched a new website that provides information about the role of the Regulator in the NWT, access to the public registry and guidelines and application forms for industry.

“The website helps to raise public awareness about the Office of the Regulator and its related responsibilities,” said Minister David Ramsay, Regulator of onshore oil and gas activities in the NWT.  “We want to ensure regulatory practices reflect the needs and priorities of NWT residents, provide industry with a clear outline of the territory’s regulatory process and support responsible development.”

Except in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and on federal lands, the Office of theRegulator ensures oil and gas exploration and development operations are conducted in a safe and environmentally responsible manner that conserves oil and gas resources. This includes reviewing applications, regulating seismic and drilling operations, pipeline and well regulation, inspection and compliance, and emergency response and investigation. The office is responsible for territorial lands

Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay, was appointed Regulator by the Executive Council of the Northwest Territories effective April 1, 2014.

Please visit the OROGO website at: www.oilandgasregulator.iti.gov.nt.ca

For more information:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-3343

Email: Leslie_Campbell@gov.nt.ca

Hay River (June 30) – A new reality television series will debut tomorrow and is expected to increase awareness and understanding of the Northwest Territories’ traditional economy while providing valuable exposure to the territory’s burgeoning film industry that produces it.

Fur Harvesters NWT, will follow Hay River resident-trapper, Andrew Stanley, as he earns his income primarily from trapping fur-bearing animals.  Produced, directed, filmed, and edited solely by resident members of the NWT film industry, it is the first reality series of its kind and the third main-stream national TV show produced entirely in Yellowknife in the last two years. The Series is also scheduled to air in the NWT and Yukon on NorthWesTel Cable.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), David Ramsay looks forward to the show’s premiere, saying, “Fur Harvesters NWT is as much a  showcase of our emerging film industry as it is of our world-renowned fur industry,” he noted. “This series will help provide context and information on our traditional economy, which is an important part of life in the territory, and I am proud to see a quality NWT-produced show that explores and celebrates it.”

Andrew Stanley’s self-documented day-to-day adventures on the trap-line have already drawn thousands of views on YouTube.

The Department of ITI is supporting the production of Fur Harvesters NWT with film funding from its Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Policy.  The production is also sponsored by the Fur Harvesters Auction, Canada’s primary wild fur auction and a partner in the Department’s Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.

Through its promotion of trapping and the fur industry and by supporting and profiling the NWT and its film industry, Fur Harvesters NWT will support recommendations in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy which was developed to meet the 17th Assembly’s priority to strengthen and diversify the NWT economy.

For more information, contact:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: alayna_ward@gov.nt.ca

Premier Bob McLeod officially opens Inuvik’s Petroleum Resources Office

INUVIK (June 27, 2014) – This year’s Inuvik Petroleum Show (IPS) set the stage for the opening of the Petroleum Resources Office in Inuvik on June 24, 2014.

The Petroleum Resources Division develops and implements programs, strategies and policies in support of managing the development of the territory’s petroleum resources. This includes leading and managing the call cycle process for future oil and gas exploration in onshore NWT, the first cycle of which is expected to be launched in the fall. The division will also lead the development of Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations and provide support for GNWT initiatives to enable development of the Canol Shale in the Sahtu Region.

Premier Bob McLeod was in attendance to officially open the doors and welcome staff into their new roles.

“Having the Petroleum Resources Office located in the Beaufort Delta Region will help further establish Inuvik as a hub of oil and gas development,” said Premier McLeod. “We are committed to developing our resources in a responsible way that reflects the priorities and values of Northerners, investing in the infrastructure needed to do this in partnership with the Government of Canada and creating prosperity and economic opportunities for the North and the nation.” 

Deputy Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Peter Vician delivered a keynote address at the IPS in which he recognized the NWT’s world-class inventory of energy resources and discussed the increasing demand for energy. “This growing worldwide demand bodes well for the Northwest Territories’ economy because we are uniquely positioned to provide safe and secure energy to customers around the world,” said Mr. Vician.

The Inuvik Petroleum Show is the premier conference and tradeshow for the oil and gas sector. Each year, it hosts over 500 participants, including delegates and exhibitors from across Canada and beyond.

For more information:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: alayna_ward@gov.nt.ca

INUVIK (June 27, 2014) – Creative displays at several NWT airports are part of a new Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) initiative to promote NWT arts and crafts and profile the work of NWT artists to visitors.

Deputy Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Peter Vician unveiled a display at the Inuvik airport Wednesday, one of six displays that have been created and installed in NWT airports. These airport displays, made possible in partnership with the Department of Transportation, are also located in Norman Wells, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Fort Smith and Yellowknife.

Many of the artists represented in the Inuvik art display were on hand for its official unveiling. This announcement also marks a step in the implementation of the GNWT’s overall Arts Program, introduced in March, to support and increase the profile of NWT art and artists.    

“Our airports provide a perfect venue to profile the diverse and creative works of NWT artists, and we anticipate that travellers will appreciate the introduction to regional artists and communities, and also the opportunity to purchase these fine arts and crafts,” said Mr. Vician. “The promotion and sale of these products also helps to stimulate our grassroots economy and provide artists, especially those in smaller communities, with income opportunities and a chance to showcase their talent.”

While varied in their construction, the airport displays are comprised of a mounted, flat-screen monitor, surrounded by a stylized graphic border containing information about local arts, artists and the NWT Arts Program.

During the Economic Opportunities Strategy engagement sessions held across the territory, many participants and stakeholders identified the need to better develop and promote markets for the NWT’s traditional arts and crafts.  In particular, it was recommended that these identifiable symbols of the NWT be linked to the NWT’s emerging Aboriginal tourism sector.

For more information:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: alayna_ward @gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (June 27, 2014) – Minister of Transportation Tom Beaulieu announced today that the Government of the Northwest Territories is seeking input from Northerners to update the NWT Transportation Strategy.

“This strategy will guide planning and progress in all transportation modes over the next 25 years,” said Minister Beaulieu.  “Key factors considered in the strategy will be improving the safety and efficiency of existing transportation facilities and services while making strategic improvements to promote economic development and improve community access.”

The public is encouraged to provide input by visiting the Department of Transportation’s website at www.dot.gov.nt.ca and completing a brief online survey about the transportation system.

Over the summer, the Department will also be conducting interviews with Aboriginal leaders, transportation stakeholders and Members of the Legislative Assembly to gain their perspective on the territory’s transportation needs and priorities.

After reviewing and considering comments and suggestions, the Department will begin drafting the NWT Transportation Strategy.  This will be followed by public meetings in regional centers across the NWT in late fall or early winter 2014 on the draft strategy.

For more information:

Patricia Russell
Communications
Department of Transportation
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-873-7764 or 867-447-1368 (1DOT)
patricia_russell@gov.nt.ca