Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 27/01) - More money needs to be spent if tourism is to grow in Nunavut, says federal Industry Minister Brian Tobin.

The minister made the remarks while in the Kivalliq last week to announce the establishment of a community Internet access site for Baker Lake and the opening of Nunavut's third Canada-Nunavut Business Service Centre in Rankin Inlet.

Industry Minister Brian Tobin addresses a public gathering in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Baker was one of seven Nunavut communities to receive the Internet service under the Community Access Program (CAP), with both Industry Canada and the Nunavut government contributing $130,000 towards the establishment of the sites.

"A CAP site is a publicly accessible, free site which allows every citizen -- regardless of their economic circumstance -- to learn how to access the Internet and be comfortable with using a computer," said Tobin.

"Internet delivered services in areas such as education, training and medicine are particularly valuable in the North."

The service centre is part of a national network dedicated to providing information from all levels of government, as well as counselling to support the creation and growth of small business.

The centres are accessible by telephone, fax, Internet or by walk-in, and are a one-stop resource for Canadian business information.

The centre will often provide a point of first contact with potential consumers, thus holding valuable potential for Nunavut's tourism industry.

Tobin said Nunavut Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk understands the importance of infrastructure and marketing to improve tourism.

"We need to find ways to partner in order to provide proper training and market the area," he said.

"You have to address infrastructure as a priority. If you don't have the appropriate level of infrastructure in place, you're not going to get the repeat business you need."

Tobin said Nunavut has some of the most unique offerings in the world and has a tremendous opportunity to market its people, land and culture.

"We don't need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to tourism in Nunavut. We need to help shape, deliver and market what's already here and that's the type of work we're trying to do with the minister of this government."