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CANADA’S NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Table of Contents
Map of the Northwest Territories................02
The People and History of the NWT.......... 15
Overview of the Northwest Territories..... 07
Northwest Territories Economy................... 17
Premier’s Message.............................................08
Wild Fur................................................................... 19
Premier’s Biography.........................................09
Tourism.................................................................... 21
Minister’s Message.............................................. 12
Mining .................................................................... 23
Minister’s Biography.......................................... 13
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Thrill to the fury of the Slave River rapids, right in the heart of the Town of Fort Smith and bordering Wood Buffalo National Park.
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Overview of the
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a land of untold
beauty, where aurora borealis shine over the snow
and ice of winter and where the summer sun
glows over the rocks, trees and tundra. The very
landscape that makes the North so beautiful also
makes it a land of unique challenges.
The Northwest Territories is the second largest of
Canada’s three territories; roughly the same size
as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and
Shanxi Province combined.
Only 43,000 people live in approximately 1.14
million square kilometers, a population density
of less than 0.04 people per km2, of unspoiled
wilderness stretching from the Arctic Ocean in
the north, west to the Mackenzie Mountains, south
to the borders of British Columbia, Alberta, and
Saskatchewan, and east to the Nunavut border.
The Northwest Territories is home to Canada’s
deepest lake (Great Slave Lake), the largest lake
entirely in Canada (Great Bear Lake), and the
largest and longest water system in Canada (the
Mackenzie River or “Deh Cho”).
The Government of the Northwest Territories is
one of only two jurisdictions in Canada where
government is based on consensus. There are
no political parties. A fully elected Legislative
Assembly of 19 members elects the Premier and
a six-member Cabinet.
The Northwest Territories is the only jurisdiction
in Canada with 11 official languages: English,
French, Chipewyan, Tlicho, Dene Zhatie, North
Slavey, Gwich’in, Cree, Inuvialuktun, Inuktitut and
Inuinnaqtun.
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Message
from the Premier
Canada’s Northwest
Territories are a land of
limitless potential. With
growing interest in our
wild fur, mining, and
tourism industries, the
Northwest Territories
offers some of the most
exciting and promising
economic opportunities in North America.
Our economy was built on luxury items – furs, gold,
and now diamonds. From the traditional practices
of Aboriginal peoples to the present-day trapping
industry, wild fur from the Northwest Territories
has been recognized around the world for its
excellent quality for decades. Genuine Mackenzie
Valley Furs are always in high demand at auctions
to supply China’s world-leading fur garment
industry.
Mining is the driving force of our economy. Our
mineral resources represent an ideal investment
opportunity for China. Gold has been mined
in the Northwest Territories for decades, with
more mines planned in the next few years. More
recently, the Northwest Territories has become the
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third-largest producer of diamonds in the world by
value. Government-Certified Canadian Diamonds™
adhere to the highest ethical standards from mine
to market, and are sought out by the world’s finest
jewellery designers. Valuable metals, including
rare-earth metals, copper, silver, and zinc, are set
to become a significant growth opportunity.
The Northwest Territories is eager to build
stronger ties with the Chinese tourism market. Chinese tourists will love the great experiences
and authentic cultural opportunities we can offer. From dog mushing or snowshoeing beneath the
northern lights, to hiking or paddling under the
midnight sun, our experienced tour operators
understand what tourists from China want and
can provide a great experience in our spectacular
Northwest Territories.
The Northwest Territories is a land rich in resources
and potential like no other place on earth. I hope
that you will seriously consider the opportunities
available to you here.
Robert R. McLeod
Premier of the Northwest Territories
Biography:
Robert R. McLeod
Robert (Bob) McLeod was elected to the 17th
Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories
on October 3, 2011. This is Mr. McLeod’s second
term representing the constituents of Yellowknife
South. Mr. McLeod has over 28 years of service in
the public service with both Governments of the
Northwest Territories and Canada in various senior
management roles including Deputy Minister, and
Secretary to Cabinet during the 15th Legislative
Assembly.
In the 16th Legislative Assembly, Mr. McLeod
served as Minister of Human Resources, Minister
of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Minister
Responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Lead
Minister on New Energy Initiatives as well as Lead
Minister for the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline
Project.
Mr. McLeod’s educational background includes
a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the
University of Alberta and an Honours Diploma in
Administrative Management from the Northern
Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. Mr.
McLeod is an active member of the Yellowknife
community serving and participating in several
community organizations. He has served as
president of the Yellowknife recreational hockey
league, president of the Yellowknife golf club
(led the expansion to 18 holes), member of the
Yellowknife Elks Club and Senator for the Tree of
Peace Friendship Centre.
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Friendly, informal and bursting with energy, Yellowknife is the capital of the NWT and service centre for our diamond industry.
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Message
from the Minister
As Canada’s North
positions itself as a key
economic leader for
tomorrow, the Northwest
Territories stands to be a
leading contributor.
Most striking is our
territory’s enormous
potential to provide reliable, economical energy
around the world. And while our vast natural
resource base has long been the backbone to
our Territory’s economy – providing benefits and
opportunities to our residents and businesses,
NWT mining and oil and gas exports are only a
fraction of what they could be.
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Meanwhile, the rugged, pristine and isolated
nature of the Northwest Territories is proving to
be a fit for the large and growing international
tourism market – and, like our resource industry,
it is on the brink of tremendous growth. Our wild
fur industry, arts and crafts and small business
sectors remain strong and continue to grow an
economic landscape as diverse and vibrant as
our signature aurora.
Together they paint a picture of some of the
most exciting opportunities for investment and
economic growth in Canada today.
David Ramsay
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Biography:
David Ramsay
Mr. Ramsay was first elected to the Legislative
Assembly of the Northwest Territories in the
November 2003 Territorial election as the Member
representing the riding of Kam Lake, located
in Yellowknife.
Mr. Ramsay was re-elected to a third term in
October 2011 to the 17th Legislative Assembly. On October 21, 2011 he was appointed Minister of
Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister
of Transportation. In November 2011 he was
elected Vice President of the Pacific North West
Economic Region.
Mr. Ramsay received a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Political Science and History, specializing in
Aboriginal Law and Self Government, from the
University of New Brunswick. His prior political
experience includes five years as a Yellowknife
City Councilor, where he chaired the Corporate
Services Committee and was the City Council
representative on the Diamond Task Force. He
also served as a Western Arctic Progressive
Conservative Riding Association President from
1998-2003. In 1996, Mr. Ramsay was awarded the
“Young Entrepreneur” of the year award by the
Business Development Bank of Canada. CANADA’S NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
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The People and
History of the
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories’ land, waters and wildlife
are intrinsically intertwined in the cultures of our
Aboriginal peoples – the Dene, the Inuvialuit and
Métis – who make up almost half of our population.
Their history, language, arts and cultural customs
provide a rich cultural mosaic that underlines life in
the Northwest Territories.
The Dene have lived throughout the Northwest
Territories for thousands of years. They once
travelled in small family groups on the land,
moving east and north as the glaciers retreated.
The Inuvialuit lived along the Arctic coast and
islands, and practiced traditional lifestyles that
included hunting caribou, fishing, and sealing.
In the late 1700s, European fur traders arrived from
southern Canada. The children of European traders
and Aboriginals formed a new cultural group
called the Métis, who had a distinct way of life
that incorporated aspects of both European and
Aboriginal cultures.
Today, Dene, Inuvialuit and Métis families live in
communities, and many still pursue traditional
lifestyles that include hunting, trapping, fishing
and living on the land. In fact, many Aboriginal
Elders were born on the land. These elders are
the keepers of traditional knowledge - the ways of
the animals, the beneficial uses of plants, and the
stories of their people.
The Northwest Territories is also home to families
and individuals from other parts of Canada and
all over the world who further enrich and broaden
the cultural diversity of the North. Our largest
centre and capital city, Yellowknife, is a unique
cosmopolitan mix of modern and traditional
culture that is home to people from over 150
different countries.
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The Economy of the
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories’ wealth of renewable and
non-renewable resources is the backbone of our
economy and provides many opportunities for our
residents and businesses.
Collectively, our mines and mineral resources
are vast. Billions of barrels of estimated oil lie
untapped along with trillions of cubic feet of
known natural gas reserves. Our rivers and
waterways hold enormous hydroelectric potential.
The rugged, pristine and isolated nature of the
Northwest Territories is also a perfect fit for the
large and growing international tourism market.
Our vibrant history and vast potential leave us well
positioned to fully realize this immense economic
opportunity and bring our unique northern culture
to the global forefront.
Alongside our growing family of international
investors and globally-recognized companies
and industries are the thriving the traditional
economies. Our world-renowned, sustainable
wild fur industry, for example, continues to break
territorial records for fur sales on a regular basis,
mostly catering to a national and international
market.
It is no wonder that our territory has one of the
highest employment rates in Canada and is an
attractive business investment worldwide.
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Wild Fur
Wild fur from the Northwest Territories is
considered among the very finest in the world. The harvesting of wild fur is central to Aboriginal
culture, linking the traditional economic activity of
the Aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories
to today’s market. The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs brand of wild
fur is harvested and prepared by Aboriginal people
from the Northwest Territories. The Genuine
Mackenzie Valley Furs Program, operated by the
Government of the Northwest Territories, provides
trappers with the opportunity to sell their fur
into the international fur auction market. Genuine
Mackenzie Valley Furs are actively marketed
and promoted at international venues through
partnerships with other harvesting jurisdictions
and the private sector.
All Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs are harvested in
the Northwest Territories in a way that maintains
healthy wildlife populations, and must pass
marketing standard that meets and exceeds
established international humane harvesting
standards. Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs wild
fur is some of finest luxury fur available in the
marketplace and remains one of the most secure
sources of Canadian Sable.
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Tourism
The Northwest Territories offers 1.2 million square
kilometres of diverse landscapes that range from
Arctic coastline and wide open tundra, to towering
mountains and dramatic river canyons. Our vast
landscape includes five of Canada’s finest national
parks, and there is no better place to experience
the power and mystery of the Aurora Borealis. The
Northwest Territories is known for its countless
rivers and lakes, including some of the planet’s
cleanest water. Paddling, rafting and motor
boating are popular recreational activities for
residents and visitors alike.
wolves to white whales, and see herds of bison,
muskox, prowling bears, moose and caribou by the
thousands.
Meanwhile, Aboriginal people continue to live
and share their culture here. Tourism operators
in the Northwest Territories can offer tours of
communities, and traditional cultural villages, visits
to Aboriginal bush camps, aurora viewing, dogsled
rides, guided river trips and a chance to purchase
authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts.
The Northwest Territories also provides some of
the world’s finest wildlife viewing destinations.
You can view rare wildlife species, from white
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Mining
The Northwest Territories is Canada’s leading
jurisdiction for diamond mining with three
operating mines: Diavik, Ekati and Snap Lake.
A fourth mine is scheduled to open soon.
The Northwest Territories exports $2 billion
annually in diamonds and is the third largest
diamond producer in the world. Diamonds
account for almost a quarter of the territory’s GDP. Since the discovery of diamonds in the Northwest
Territories in the early 1990’s, our diamond industry
has experienced unparalleled growth and is now a
major player in the international diamond industry.
Our diamonds are recognized worldwide as being
of the highest quality, and conflict-free.
The Northwest Territories is also home to rich
deposits of untapped gold, silver and bismuth,
as well as, rare earth metals, cobalt, lead and zinc.
Mining provides over 2500 jobs, with industry
wages and salaries that are the highest in Canada.
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Government of the Northwest Territories:
http://www.gov.nt.ca/
For information on tourism in the Northwest Territories
visit Spectacular NWT:
http://spectacularnwt.com/
For investment information and opportunities in the
Northwest Territories visit Invest NWT:
http://investnwt.com/
For general enquiries email:
chinaenquiries@gov.nt.ca
Quick Facts
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The capital city, Yellowknife, is a central location with connections to the north and south.
One of the lowest tax rates in Canada and only 5% GST.
Great opportunities in mining, tourism, oil and gas, and film sectors. More information can be
found at www.investnwt.com
Transportation infrastructure that includes air, rail, water and roads. NWT communities are
becoming more accessible by all-weather road and most communities are accessible by a
unique network of winter roads.
Funding programs are available to NWT businesses once an individual becomes a resident (this
takes 6 months) such as the Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy.
http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/publications/seed-policy.
Opportunities to partner with smaller community governments who possess local knowledge
and can be eligible for funding from the government.
The NWT has 11 official languages
The NWT is the 3rd largest diamond producer in the world
.04 number of people per sq.km.
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