Robert "Bobby" Porritt (1905-1984) was born in Leeds, England. He came to Canada with his family in 1912, and they moved to a homestead farm near Jarvie, Alberta in 1915. He moved to the Northwest Territories circa 1927, spending a couple of years as a carpenter on projects in Fort Smith, Fort Simpson and Fort Resolution. He remained in Fort Resolution working as the first Canadian Airways agent [1927?]. During his years in Fort Resolution, he also worked as postmaster [1930?] and spent seven years in the fur trade with Northern Traders. In 1938, he started the Fort Resolution Lumber Company, which supplied lumber around the lake, particularly for Yellowknife buildings such as the Old Stope Hotel. Porritt spent some time in Yellowknife, coordinating lumber orders, and claims to have built the first Yellowknife school in 1939. The lumber business led to a water freight business, Robert Porritt Transportation, which appears to have been based in Yellowknife [1944-1949?]. In 1949, Porritt moved to Hay River and set up a general store, a fur trading business and an insurance agency. He established the short-lived Great Slave Industries in 1969, planning to build a marina in Hay River, and was involved in the revival of the sawmill in Fort Resolution during the same year. He continued to trade furs until his death.

Active politically for many years, Porritt ran for the Yellowknife Town Council in 1945. He lost his first bid for the Northwest Territories Legislative Council in 1951, but was successful in 1954, 1957 and 1964, spending almost ten years on the NWT Council (1954-1960, 1964-1967). He also lost bids for election to the NWT Council in 1960, 1967 and 1970. As a member of the Council, he was particularly interested in issues such as transportation, native welfare, health care, fisheries, trapping, education, the postal service, and the Hay River economy. He was also active in local politics and local organizations. He was appointed to the Hay River Board of Trustees in 1950, and spent at least seven years on the Board of Trustees, municipal and town councils for Hay River. He was president of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Lands and Parks Committee, and a member of the local Health Board, the Hospital Committee, the Public Works Committee, and the Kiwanis Club. Bobby Porritt died in 1984.

Edmonton entrepreneur, Cy Becker, established the Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL) in 1931. In 1936, the company was purchased by Charles and Gilbert Labine who in turn sold it to Eldorado Mining for $87,500. In 1942, Eldorado became a crown corporation. In 1976, NTCL ceased to be part of Eldorado Mining and became an independent entity, although still a crown corporation. NTCL had a profound effect on the development of the western arctic. Although purchased to supply Elorado mining, it always acted as a general carrier. In 1948, the NTCL was dominant in the arctic transportation industry in the Northwest Territories and in 1960, NTCL received the contract to supply DEW line sites and began operating on the Arctic Ocean. The Company's operations are divided into two main geographic sections: the Mackenzie/Western Arctic (including the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut and Alaska) and the Eastern Arctic, which is comprised of the Kivalliq and Baffin Regions of Nunavut. Service in the Mackenzie River watershed began in 1934 and along the Western Arctic Coast and Islands in 1957. Service was extended to encompass the North Slope of Alaska in 1963. Cargo arrives by rail or truck at NTCL's largest operating terminal located at Hay River. It is then transported across Great Slave Lake, down the Mackenzie River to Tuktoyaktuk and along the Arctic coast eastward to Taloyoak and westward to Point Hope, Alaska. In addition to its Regional Offices, NTCL maintains two operating terminals in the Mackenzie Western Arctic, located at Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Its extensive maritime route system in this sector is serviced by a large fleet of tugs and dual-purpose shallow draft barges, which carry both, bulk petroleum products and dry cargo. NTCL's operations in the Kivalliq region were established in 1975 out of Churchill, Manitoba. The communities of Arviat, Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, Baker Lake and Coral Harbour are serviced through NTCL's Regional Office located at Rankin Inlet and its receiving terminal at Churchill. The company operates one tug, the M.V. Keewatin, and four dual-purpose 1800 series barges in the performance of its Kivalliq service. In 1996, NTCL began to supply fuel to all communities in the Baffin region. Although, NTCL's primary function is marine transportation, it also provides full range integrated logistics support services. Extensive marine maintenance and repair services are conducted in Hay River. Other services include warehousing and distribution, equipment chartering and leasing, steel fabrication and machining, electronic sales and service and the sale of industrial parts and supplies. NTCL is a member of the NorTerra group of companies.

The original 21 Giant Mine claims were staked by C.J. Baker and H.M. Muir in July 1935. Both prospectors were at that time working for Burwash Yellowknife Mines, Ltd. In August 1937, Giant Yellowknife Mines, Ltd. was incorporated. In 1941, Frobisher Explorations, a subsidiary of Ventures Ltd. examined the Giant claims and signed an agreement with Giant in which they gained control of Giant. The first gold brick was poured in May 1948. In 1962, Ventures Ltd. merged with Falconbridge Mines, Ltd. In 1986, the Pamour group of companies began acquiring shares in Giant Yellowknife Mines Ltd. and bought the company from Falconbridge for $200 million dollars. In 1990, Royal Oak Resources Inc. purchased the Pamour group of companies along with all of its subsidiaries, including Giant Yellowknife Mine, Akaitcho Yellowknife Gold Mines and Supercrest Mines Ltd. Royal Oak Mines Inc. was formed through the amalgamation of these companies. Royal Oak Mines Inc. declared bankruptcy in 1999 and Giant Mine was put into receivership and officially closed in the fall of 1999.

The Department of Industry and Development operated from 1967 until 1973; it was responsible for promoting the economic growth of the Northwest Territories. This included encouraging and providing for the development of the tourism industry at the local level through grant programs aimed at communities that would help them realize the economic benefit of tourism. It also provided training in management and hospitality, developed public tourism facilities, and promoted the north through advertising locally, at travel shows and through promotional materials such as maps and guides. This division was also involved in the promotion of commercial and industrial development by encouraging the establishment of primary and secondary industries that would provide economic benefit to northern residents. For example, they were involved in the expansion of the arts and crafts industry, the development of the fishing and lumber industry, as well as the development and supervision of cooperatives. The function of Game Management, which was also handled through this department, provided for the rational management of all game resources in the Northwest Territories. This was achieved by planning and implementing educational, research, big game and trap line management programs that were aimed at maximizing the utilization of the game resources of the North. This division also assisted indigenous people that still depended on natural renewable resources for their livelihood, by developing and enforcing game laws and regulations.

In 1969, the Department of Industry and Development headquarters organization was completed. Progress was made in coordinating and integrating the various programs in the fields of Tourism, Game Management and Industrial Development. As part of the new headquarters organizational structure, a small Administrative Section was established, to centralize administrative support for the department and to relieve program managers from routine administrative and accounting responsibilities. A second small headquarters element, the Research and Planning Section was also established in 1969 to carry out long-range planning for the Department and to assist in integrating departmental planning with that of the other departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories. This section was responsible for an analysis of the forest products industry, commercial fishing industry and the labour and material elements of the Northern Housing Program.

The Tourism Division was initially a program that was delivered by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and Northern Development. In 1968, this program was transferred from the Federal Government to the Department of Industry and Development of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The transfer of this program marked the establishment of organized tourism promotion in the Northwest Territories. This division consisted of three operating sections: Promotion, Development and Research. The polar bear symbol was introduced at this time as well as a series of promotional literature about the Northwest Territories. The division developed a policy designed to encourage greater activity and support of the tourism industry at the community level. This policy and supporting program enabled communities to play a more effective role in developing local services and in improving the reception and information services for visitors. The Tourism Division provided grant programs to remote indigenous communities to help them realize the economic benefit of the tourism industry. The program provided financial assistance for the construction of accommodation or renovations to existing buildings. The division also provided management training to members of the community and to lodges. Hospitality seminars, designed by Travel Industry Association of Canada, were delivered and the Visitor's Service Centre at the Alberta-Northwest Territories Border was opened. The public tourism facilities development program was initiated; it encouraged the development of day use and picnic areas along the Dempster Highway and the proposed Mackenzie Highway. The Tourism Division participated in travel shows in the United States and southern Canada and in conjunction with the Canadian Government, packaged tours of the Northwest Territories were offered. This division also published the Explorer's Guide and Official Travel Map. This division was successful in offering the first commercially packaged tours of the Northwest Territories and in 1971, assisted in launching the boat "Norweta," which brought group tours to the river settlements for the first time.

The Department of Industry and Development was responsible for identifying and developing employment-generating opportunities. It was involved in identifying areas of demand where opportunity existed for service support and secondary industries capable of providing meaningful wage employment to the residents of the Northwest Territories. An effort was made to provide management advice to small businesses, assist indigenous people in becoming involved in the wage economy, and permit them access to managerial positions. The division delivered employment oriented training courses such as the Junior Office Managers Course which was designed to produce junior managers for governmental and private enterprise. The department was instrumental in the formation of the Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce in 1972.

The Industry Development Division also focused on preparing for the accelerated economic development in the Mackenzie Valley due to possible construction of the gas pipeline and construction of the Mackenzie Highway. The Research and Planning section of this division maintained close ties with Federal Government agencies and provided input into the planning for the pipeline and highway to ensure that the interests of northern residents would be protected.

The Industry Development Division was also involved in the identification and promotion of viable enterprises capable of being operated by, and providing employment for, northern residents. In one instance, a Lumber Grade Stamping Agency was established to up-grade the quality of lumber produced in the Northwest Territories. The division also helped to overhaul the boat shop in Hay River and relocated the Jean Marie River Sawmill. A particular emphasis was placed on the development of the commercial fishing industry. The division organized the Fisherman's Loan Approval Board that provided financial assistance and loans to fisherman who wished to purchase boats. The Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation was established and this corporation assumed purchasing and marketing responsibilities of freshwater fish. The fish packing facilities at Lac La Martre were completed and the Wellington Bay Arctic Char Fishery was overhauled and put in good working condition. Major commercial fisheries operated on Great Slave Lake, Lac La Martre and Cambridge Bay. The establishment of a liaison with Central Region Fisheries Service and Environment Canada it was ensured that major commercial fishing operations in the Northwest Territories would be monitored to ensure a long-term fishery development program would be followed.

The Commercial Development program was delivered through the Industry Development Division. This program administered loans for business ventures, such as the Eskimo Loan Fund, Indian Economic Development Fund and Small Business Loan Fund. The department assumed responsibility for the cooperatives, therefore the development emphasis was placed on consolidating and strengthening the cooperatives. In 1971, the Canadian Arctic Co-operative Federation Limited was established as the coordinating body for all cooperatives in the Northwest Territories. In preparation for the establishment of the Federation, a cooperative education program was conducted and training program implemented for groups who wished to develop into co-operatives. An educational program on credit unions was also instituted. It was hoped that these initiatives would result in economic gains for aboriginal peoples.

Furthermore, the Industrial Development Division conducted research studies in order to determine potential markets for northern arts and crafts. A review was made of existing arts and crafts projects to determine methods of increasing production and provide additional income for the producers. This division also facilitated the promotion of northern arts and crafts. For example, the Masterworks Exhibition that was organized by the Canadian Eskimo Art Council was supported financially by this department and went on a world tour with showings in major art centers in the United States and Europe. Interest in northern arts and crafts was raised through the Pangnirtung weaving project and Baker Lake print program. The ultimate goal of the division was to facilitate the transfer of ownership of the Canadian Arctic Producers from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, into the hands of northern producers.

The Game Management Division of the Department of Industry and Development oversaw the management of wildlife resources. A Fur Marketing Service was initiated to assist trappers wishing to take advantage of the services of the large fur auction houses. The Trappers Assistance Program provided repayable loans to enable the trapper to purchase supplies and equipment at the beginning of the trapping season. A Trapper Education Program aimed at encouraging the use of humane traps and assisted making these traps available. Guide Training Schools were conducted, as well as courses to interest young people in the trapping profession. The Game Management Officer Training Program was implemented in 1972 and sought to train northerners to be Game Management Officers and thereby eliminate the need to recruit from Southern Canada. The Game Management Division was also responsible for the development and enforcement of meaningful game laws and regulations. This included a caribou and polar bear tagging program aimed at maintaining the harvest of polar bear and caribou within safe limits and provided biological and management information for maintaining wildlife in appropriate numbers. The Program of Organized Settlement Caribou Hunts was also introduced by this division and assisted settlements in obtaining meat for their use.

In 1973, the Department of Industry and Development was renamed the Department of Economic Development and was restructured to respond more readily and effectively to the growing demands of the modern and traditional economies of the Northwest Territories.

From 1905 to 1967, the administration of the Northwest Territories was the responsibility of several different federal departments. From 1922 to 1953, various versions of the Northwest Territories and Yukon Branch were administered by the Department of the Interior (1922-1936) and the Department of Mines and Resources (1937-1953). During these years, this administration was run almost exclusively from Ottawa. In 1953, the branch concerned with the administration of the Northwest Territories, known at that time as the Northern Administration and Lands Branch, transferred to the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources. The Northern Administration and Lands Branch expanded rapidly in the 1950s and in 1959 it was renamed the Northern Administration Branch. This coincided with a reorganization of the responsibilities handled by the Branch. The responsibility for northern affairs was divided into six divisions: 1) Territorial Division; 2) Education Division; 3) Industrial Division; 4) Welfare Division; 5) Resources Division and 6) Engineering Division. In conjunction with this reorganization, a program of decentralization of the field operations of the Northern Administration Branch was enhanced by the creation of two new regional offices. The Administrator of the Mackenzie was stationed in Fort Smith, while the Administrator of the Arctic, stationed in Ottawa, was responsible for the Districts of Keewatin and Franklin, as well as Inuit affairs in arctic Quebec. In 1966, the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development supplanted the Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources. In 1967, Yellowknife was established as the capital of the Northwest Territories and the transfer of responsibilities from the Northern Administration Branch to the Government of the Northwest Territories began. The transfer rendered the Northern Administration Branch obsolete and during 1968, the Territorial Relations Branch replaced it.

The Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation (commonly known as BDIC) was established on April 1, 2005 as a Crown Corporation of the Government of the Northwest Territories. BDIC is an amalgamation of the NWT Business Credit Corporation, the NWT Development Corporation, and Canada Business NWT (formerly Canada Business NWT Business Service Centre), which is operated in partnership with Industry Canada.

BDIC is mandated to support the economic objectives of the Government of the Northwest Territories in a manner that benefits the people and the economy of the Northwest Territories by encouraging the creation and development of business enterprises; providing financial assistance to business enterprises, either on its own or as a complement to private sector or other financing; directling investing in business enterprises; and providing information to business enterprises and members of the public respecting the establishment and operation of businesses and other business matters.

BDIC is managed by a Board of Directors and reports to the minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Its day to day affairs are managed by a CEO and staff. Its two main delivery areas are Financial Programs (including credit programs, subsidiaries, contributions, and venture investments) and Business Support Services (information services through Canada Business NWT). They also lend support to Community Futures Development Corporations throughout the NWT.

In 1973, the Department of Industry and Development was renamed the Department of Economic Development and was restructured to respond more effectively to the traditional and modern economies of the Northwest Territories.

The Department of Economic Development was responsible for promoting and developing economic growth in the Northwest Territories. In addition, the department was responsible for establishing employment opportunities for all Northern residents and assisting the indigenous people to participate in and benefit equally from the increased scale of economic activity throughout the Northwest Territories. The department encouraged and provided for the development of the tourism industry at the local level through grant programs aimed at communities that would assist them in realizing the economic benefits of tourism. It also provided training in management and hospitality, developed public tourism facilities and promoted traveling in the north through advertising and other promotional material. The Department of Economic Development was also involved in the promotion of commercial and industrial development by encouraging the establishment of primary and secondary industries that would provide economic benefit to northern residents. Furthermore, the department participated with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in planning for the exploration and development of non-renewable resources for the benefit of residents of the Northwest Territories.

The Tourism Division consisted of the Development and Promotion sections. The Development section was involved in the expansion and control of the tourism plant and services. It developed and regulated public tourist facilities and encouraged remote indigenous community involvement in the tourism industry by providing training and grant programs that assisted in the construction of tourist accommodations or renovations to existing facilities. The Promotion section promoted visitor travel to and within the Northwest Territories through advertising, publicity, trade shows and provision of travel counseling services.

The Industry and Commerce Division was made up of five sections; the Business Development section was responsible for identifying economic opportunities throughout the Northwest Territories and for conducting feasibility studies with regard to such opportunities and the encouragement of investment to take advantage of these opportunities. The Financial Assistance section processed and reviewed applications for loans from loan funds administered by the department. This included the Small Business Loan Fund, the Eskimo Loan Fund, and the Fisherman's Loan Fund and in collaboration with the Federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs-the Indian Development Fund. The Project Operations section provided financial control and management monitoring and supervision to the range of productive enterprises for which the department was responsible, including the sale of finished products. The Co-operative section assisted in the development of co-operatives, regulated and monitored the operation of co-operatives and provided advisory support to individual co-operatives and to the Canadian Arctic Co-operative Federation. The Arts and Crafts section provided support and information to artists and artisans in how to do business with dealers and collectors inside and outside the Northwest Territories.

The Game Management Division was made up of five sections. The Trapline Management section planned, developed and implemented educational and management programs and projects designed to maximize the utilization of the fur resource and to increase the economic return to the trapper. The Big Game Management section planned and implemented programs that properly managed and utilized the big game resources and protected these resources. The Research section planned, developed and implemented a research program in support of trapline and big game management and conducted studies on endangered animal and game species. The Regulations section developed and enforced game laws and regulations and the Fishery Development section assisted in the development of a strong sport and commercial fishing industry that would benefit northern residents. In 1975, the Game Management Division was transferred to the Division of Natural and Cultural Affairs.

The Petroleum Resource Development Project was moved from the Executive Secretariat to the Department of Economic Development in 1975. This project group provided a coordination and liaison service to the departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories on matters relating to the Mackenzie Valley Gas Pipeline proposal, the Mackenzie Highway and the Beaufort Delta Oil Project. The Project Group also had overall management responsibility for the Hire North Project. This project was established to provide training and employment opportunities on the Mackenzie Highway construction project, for the indigenous people of the area.

The Employment Division transferred from the Department of Local Government to the Department of Economic Development in 1975. This division was responsible for determining needs, developing strategies and administering programs directed at increasing employment levels and employability of Northern residents. This division provided an employment and training placement service, offered advice on program needs and created strategies to overcome employment problems of Northerners. Furthermore, the division developed, coordinated and administered programs, operated employment counselling services throughout the Northwest Territories and developed and administered programs designed to solve short or long term unemployment problems at the community level. This division delivered the Apprenticeship program, which delivered programs for developing skilled tradesmen. In addition, the Territorial Employment Record and Information System (TERIS) was also administered by this division. This system developed a manpower and skills inventory for the Northwest Territories labour force which was utilized as a vehicle between labour supply and labour demand by ensuring employment opportunities be made available to potential northern candidates.

In 1976, the Tourism Division and some sections of the Industry and Commerce Division combined services and formed the Business Services and Tourism Division. The Financial Assistance sector provided assistance through the Small Business Loan Fund and Eskimo Loan Fund and provided counselling for applicants seeking loans. The Co-op Development section provided general business counselling to new or developing businesses and regulated and monitored the operation of co-operatives and provided advisory services to co-operatives and to the Canadian Arctic Co-operative Federation. This division also promoted travel in the Northwest Territories through promotional trade shows and advertising and also developed tourist facilities and maintained parks in the Northwest Territories.

The Project and Marketing Division also emerged at this time and was responsible for the planning, development and overall management of the department's commercial, industrial and crafts projects, as well as for the marketing activity. The Arts and Crafts program provided development, planning and counselling services to Inuit and aboriginal artists and artisans and published information about northern arts and crafts to dealers and collectors within and outside the Northwest Territories. The program also focussed on training local people to assume a managerial role in craft operations. The Marketing program worked with the Arts and Crafts activity to assist in the marketing of finished products and to exhibit northern arts and crafts and trade shows, events and through catalogues.

The Research and Evaluation Division was responsible for providing economic research services within the government and to other organizations and individuals in the private sector. This division researched and planned new economic development projects and promoted the development of resident businesses. In addition, this activity prepared economic statistics, conducted economic analysis of existing and proposed projects and provided technical information on non-renewable resources development.

In 1977, the Department of Economic Development was renamed the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism was established in 1977 and assumed responsibility for the majority of the programs that were delivered by the Department of Economic Development.

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism was responsible for the promotion and development of businesses within the Northwest Territories in order to create jobs and incomes for northerners. This was facilitated through the provision of financial assistance such as grants and loans, technical support and employment training programs. The department targeted the development of employment opportunities within the arts and crafts, small business, gas and mineral, renewable resources and tourism sectors. The Department of Economic Development and Tourism was also responsible for the promotion and development of the Northwest Territories as a tourism destination, through marketing, development of tourist facilities and the territorial parks system.

The Business Services and Tourism Division operated between 1973-1979. It combined services required by the business community and the travel industry in the development of their enterprises. The Business Services or Financial section provided financial assistance through the Small Business Loan Fund and Eskimo Loan Fund and provided counseling for applicants seeking loans. The Cooperative and Credit Union sector provided general business counseling to new or developing businesses and regulated and monitored the operations of cooperatives and provided advisory services to cooperatives and to the Canadian Arctic Cooperative Federation. In 1978, this division also delivered the Special Rural Development Agreement (ARDA) funding which provided financial contributions to businesses and organizations, particularly aboriginal development corporations. The tourism activity managed Travel Arctic and the territorial parks. It provided services and assistance to encourage tourism and for the development of related facilities, such as package tours and visitor's centers. In 1979, this division reorganized and the Financial Services and Cooperative section transferred to the Business Development Division. The Parks and Tourism Division was created as the importance of developing infrastructure for the emerging tourist market was emphasized.

The Projects and Marketing Division of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism was responsible for the planning, development and overall management of the department's commercial, industrial and craft projects, as well as for the marketing activity. The Arts and Crafts program provided development, planning and counseling services to Inuit and aboriginal artists and artisans and published information about northern arts and crafts to dealers and collectors within and outside of the Northwest Territories. The program also focused on training local people to assume a managerial role in craft operations. The Marketing program worked with the Arts and Crafts activity to assist in the marketing of finished products and to exhibit northern arts and crafts at trade shows, through catalogues and at events such as the Pacific National Exhibition, Montreal Olympics and the Calgary Stampede.

In 1980, the Commerce Division replaced the Project and Marketing Division. The Commerce Division was responsible for promoting new business ventures, supporting and stimulating existing commercial activity, especially within the renewable resources sector. The Small Business Development sector was a new addition to this division that provided financial consulting, technical support, marketing advice and training programs that assisted new and existing businesses. The Arts and Crafts sector became a more enabling program that supported craft producer organizations, developed an awareness of opportunities and helped people to take advantage of these opportunities through the newly formed Northwest Territories Arts and Crafts Council and the Commercial Enterprises and Marketing sector. The Cooperative Division was integrated into the Commerce Division from the Business Services and Tourism Division in 1979. It continued to regulate and monitor the operations of cooperatives and provided advisory support to individual cooperatives and to the Canadian Arctic Cooperative Federation. Renewable Resources Development also became part of the Commerce Division at this time, which was consistent with the departmental mandate to maximize commercial development of primary resources. The objectives of this service were to provide technical assistance to the public and private sectors involved in planning, implementing or expanding of renewable based enterprises. Assistance was offered in preparing and evaluating proposals, feasibility studies, providing day-to-day technical assistance and financial support to the lumber and fishing industries and country foods programs, as well as maintaining a membership in related industry associations. Financial Services such as the Eskimo Loan Fund and the Fisherman's Loan Guarantee Fund, that had been part of the Business Services and Tourism Division, were now delivered through the Commerce Division.

In 1983, the Commerce Division reorganized and was renamed the Business Development Division. This division included a Small Business Section, Renewable Resources Development Section, Non-Renewable Resource Section and Arts and Crafts Section. The Non-renewable Resources Development placed an emphasis on promoting northern business in the mineral and petroleum sectors, produced the Northwest Territories Business Directory, and participated in trade shows that exhibited Northwest Territories exports. In 1988-1989, the Oil, Gas and Mining program was delivered through the Commerce Division. It encouraged the use of northern suppliers and a northern workforce and was involved in the North Warning System construction. Other activities delivered by the Commerce Division included the Trade, Investment and Industrial Development section that was responsible for stimulating activity in the areas of intersettlement, interprovincial and international trade and investment in small businesses. The Natural Resource Section promoted the integration of traditional skills in the wage economy. Programs and services were administered in support of commercial development of fisheries, arts and crafts, wildlife, forestry, fur and agriculture. The Oil and Gas Division and Natural Resources Division joined at this time to form the Resources Development Division, which continued to encourage employment and income benefits from renewable and non-renewable resource development.

In 1995-96, the Business Development Division was reorganized and renamed Corporate and Technical Services. The department was reorganized to meet increasing demands and programs were restructured to place decision-making closer to the client population. This was due to mineral exploration in the Northwest Territories and the expectation that there would be increased opportunity for local development. The division continued to deliver programs and services to small businesses, the arts and crafts sector, renewable resources and provided financial assistance through the Business Development fund.

When the Business Services and Tourism Division were reorganized, the Tourism and Parks Division was formed. This division placed a greater emphasis on developing the tourism industry and territorial parks system. It was responsible for tourism promotion, developing tourist facilities, providing advice and information to travelers and for developing, in conjunction with a Territorial Parks Committee, a Territorial Recreational Parks Program. The promotional publication, the Explorer's Guide was published by this division and the division participated in travel shows in Canada and the United States and promoted the Northwest Territories by advertising in magazines, direct mail campaigns, videos, merchandising and public relations. The division was also responsible for the implementation of the Tourism and Parks Programs, surveying travelers and evaluating tourist trends. The Regional Tourism Association was developed at this time to facilitate increased cooperation between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the private sector and community residents in order to encourage community participation in the economic and social benefits to be derived from the tourism industry. The division's main task was to create entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for residents and encourage the development of services and attractions that would contribute to the economy of the Northwest Territories.

In 1995-1996, the Tourism and Parks Division was reorganized and separated to form two divisions. The Parks and Visitors Services Division planned, developed and operated territorial parks and visitor's centers. This division was also responsible for interpretive displays, highway and community signage and provided direct service, support and information to encourage travel. The Territorial Parks Act and Territorial Travel and Tourism Act guided the program. The Tourism Development and Marketing Division was responsible for developing, monitoring and evaluating tourism products and programs. Activities included supporting tourism industry associations, issuing licenses and ensuring that regulations were maintained. In cooperation with private sector, this division also planned and coordinated a tourism image for the Northwest Territories, through advertising, sales, promotion, merchandising, public and media relations and travel counseling. The division conducted analysis of market intelligence and evaluated tourism trends to maximize the effectiveness of tourism development programs.

The Planning and Development Division operated between 1976-1984. It was responsible for researching and planning new economic development projects and promoted the development of resident businesses. In addition, this activity prepared economic statistics in the Northwest Territories, conducted economic analysis of existing and proposed projects and provided technical information on non-renewable resources development. During this time period, the Planning and Development Division was involved in the introduction of the Department of Regional and Economic Expansion (DREE) and the delivery of the Special Agricultural and Rural Development Agreement fund (ARDA) to the Northwest Territories. Between 1980-1984, the focus of the Planning and Development Division concentrated on maximizing the benefits of renewable and non-renewable resource projects; therefore, the name of the division was changed to the Planning and Resource Development Activity to reflect this change of focus. The Economic Development Agreement was also delivered through the Planning and Resource Division and facilitated Federal-Territorial cooperation in initiatives that promoted planning and implementation of economic and socioeconomic development in the Northwest Territories. The economic initiatives focused on renewable resource development, arts and crafts, minerals, planning, tourism and small business development.

Between 1984-85, there were several changes within the Planning and Development Division and it ceased to exist. The mineral and petroleum resource section transferred to the Business Development Division and the responsibility for administering the Economic Development Agreement and development economic incentive policies were transferred to the Directorate.

In 1981, a Mineral and Petroleum Resource Development Section was added to the department to deal with non-renewable resource development and ensure participation of northerners within the industry. The Economic Planning Secretariat, also delivered by the department at this time, was responsible for Territorial economic planning program, formulation, policy development and evaluation and providing technical and professional expertise inside and outside the department.

In 1984-1985, the Financial Service and Administration Division was created and became responsible for the provision of financial and administration services in support of the department's objectives. The Administration section managed the division and provided support for personnel activities; the Finance section was responsible for general accounting of revenue and expenditures and coordinating and monitoring the budgetary processes. The Loans Administration Section was responsible for administration and accounting for Business Loans and Guarantees Fund, Eskimo Loan Fund, Special Agricultural and Rural Development Agreement Fund (ARDA) and Economic Development Agreement. The Systems and Procedures section provided technical assistance and training in financial management, accounting procedures and control.

Between 1985-86, the Department created the temporary Expo '86 division in which staff developed and operated a pavilion that presented the Northwest Territories to the world during Expo 1986, in Vancouver. The pavilion included audiovisual exhibits, a theatre, and a stage for live performances, a business center and retail sales concession. The program was completed during the 1986-87 fiscal year.

The Employment and Training Division was responsible for determining needs, developing strategies and administering programs directed at increasing employment levels and employability of northern residents. This division provided an employment and training placement and referral service, developed, coordinated and administered programs that would increase employment and provided training in career development. It also administered programs designed to solve short or long term unemployment problems in communities and developed and operated an employment counseling service through the Northwest Territories. This division delivered programs such as the Subsidized Term Employment Program (STEP), Territorial Employment Record and Information System (TERIS) and Hire North that trained northerners in operating highway construction equipment in order to construct a portion of the Mackenzie Highway.

The name of the Employment and Training Division was changed to Manpower Development Division in 1981. The division continued to be responsible for manpower counseling, identifying and securing training and employment opportunities for northerners and managing Apprenticeship Program, Training-on-the Job Program, Subsidized Term Employment Program, Labour Pools, Job Rotations, Job Relocations, Career Program and Territorial Employment Record Information System (TERIS).

During 1984-85, the Manpower Development Division continued to deliver programs however, it also was involved in facilitating the amalgamation of the various training functions in the Government of the Northwest Territories into the Department of Education.

The Policy and Planning Division emerged in 1987-1988 and was responsible for the evaluation and development of policies and programs for the department. It consisted of the Economic Planning and Policy Evaluation Sections and prepared the Northwest Territories Economic Review and Outlook. The division also provided technical assistance and advice to other divisions in the areas of market assessments, feasibility studies and special economic analyses. During 1995-1997, a Human Resources component was added to the Policy and Planning Division. This activity administered the Affirmative Action Business Education Development program (AABED) and was responsible for developing and maintaining the electronic information systems.

In 1995, the Business Credit Corporation was added to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. It was a Crown agency that provided loans, contract security lines of credit and loan guarantees to eligible businesses in Northwest Territories. The purpose of this activity was to provide operational funding for the Northwest Territories Business Credit Corporation.

In 1996-1997, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism joined with the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Department of Renewable Resources to form the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.