Mr. Speaker, Income Security programs are a vital part of the social safety network that helps Northwest Territories residents by bridging gaps in their ability to support themselves and to pursue their personal, educational and career goals. 

Mr. Speaker, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre has acted as the territory’s museum for the past 40 years. The institution cares for a large collection of objects representing the peoples, cultures, history and land of the Northwest Territories on behalf of all the people who live here. 

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre was recognized last week with a Canadian Museums Association (CMA) Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Exhibition.

The exhibit We Took Care of Them: Special Constables in the NWT  honours Indigenous northerners who worked as Special Constables with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Seamstresses, guides and interpreters are also recognized for their contributions to police work. By sharing the skills needed to live and work in the north, local people often made the difference between life and death to the RCMP.

Mr. Speaker, Income Security programs are a vital piece of the societal safety network that together help address the needs of NWT residents.    

Those who access programs within this complex network are often at a point of vulnerability in their lives. It is good government practice to continually review and evaluate programs, especially social ones, to ensure that those in need are being provided appropriate supports and services.

Mr. Speaker, programs focused on both teacher and student wellness are foundational to Education Renewal. Mental wellness is essential for everyone involved in teaching and learning, and we have acted to address this need.

Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), today launched the Postsecondary Education Visioning Survey and invites all residents of the NWT to participate in this important process.

The Government Response to the Aurora College Foundational Review committed to establishing a vision for postsecondary education in the NWT -- a common vision to guide future decision-making around education after high school.

Mr. Speaker, the transformational changes we have been making across the education system are gaining momentum to help fulfil this government’s mandate commitments towards education renewal.

Under the Skills 4 Success strategy, grades nine to 12 students and youth aged 18 to 24 across the North will soon have access to Career and Education Advisors. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has already hired six to work with students to help them navigate their best academic path from ‘classroom to career’.

Mr. Speaker, many factors impact a child’s life both negatively and positively.  As a parent, I understand some of the struggles parents face and as a Social Worker I adhere to the principle that all of us; (parents, family, friends, community members, and governments) have a role to play in ensuring children have the supports to succeed in life.

Mr. Speaker, we are making significant progress in meeting this government’s mandate commitments to strengthen the Northwest Territories postsecondary education system.

I am pleased to advise that the drafting of legislation to govern postsecondary education in the NWT is nearing completion. The proposed legislation will create, for the first time, a process to ensure the effective governance and quality assurance of all postsecondary institutions operating in the territory.

Premier Bob McLeod and Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment today announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Weegar as the Associate Deputy Minister of Postsecondary Education for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).