Infrastructure blocks potential
Conference speakers highlighted challenges ahead, areas of growth and Dominion's fly-in-fly-out decision
Karen K. Ho
Northern News Services
Saturday, April 18, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The territory may be rich in resources, but challenges with infrastructure and attracting talent are preventing businesses from making the most out of their potential.
Cathie Bolstad, executive director of NWT Tourism, addresses delegates at the NWT Chamber of Commerce Conference at the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife on April 16. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo
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That was the big theme during panels on tourism, agriculture and mining at the NWT Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting and conference.
"Resources are not a winning lottery ticket," Canadian Chamber of Commerce president Perrin Beatty said in his keynote address.
At the Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife, many of the conference's speakers also referenced Dominion Diamond Corporation's (TSX: DDC) recently announced decision to cancel their charter flights between Edmonton and Yellowknife.
The day before the conference, Elliot Holland, DDC's vice-president of projects, said in an email statement to News/North that the official last day of charter flights for mine employees would be May 31.
"As of June 1, 2015 all company-sponsored fly-points with transport to the mine site will be within the NWT and Nunavut," wrote Holland. "All employees who reside outside of these areas will be required to travel to an approved northern fly-point."
He said DDC was committed to living up to the obligations under their socioeconomic agreement with the territorial government to support the Northern economy and build a strong Northern workforce.
Many of the conference speakers, such as Peter Vician, deputy minister of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), spoke in support of the move and delegates often responded with applause.
"I have to send out a real call for Mr. (Brendan) Bell and his team at Dominion Diamond for what they've been doing for the Northwest Territories in moving their headquarters here, by making big changes in their operational base and working with us to try and bring more Northern residents into the mine base," said Vician. "That's a big piece of news."
NWT Tourism's executive director, Cathie Bolstad talked about how her team was focusing on attracting more hunting enthusiasts, the importance of packaging experiences for potential visitors and efforts to attract more major business conferences during the next three years. At the conference, Bolstad announced that her bureau had won a contract with the Egg Farmers of Canada.
And while the Northern Lights were a significant source of growth in the tourism sector, the territory's long-term strategy required investment and awareness of other activities and events.
"We can't put all our eggs in the Aurora basket," she said with a smile.
Finally, the conference saw a new president elected to the board of the NWT Chamber of Commerce, replacing Allen Stanzell. Norman Wells entrepreneur Kevin Diebold of Whiponic Wellputer was elected for the 2015/2016 term.
