YELLOWKNIFE (March 28, 2017) – The Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link (MVFL) achieved a major milestone on March 16, 2017 as the last two splice locations were installed, officially completing the construction of the 1,154 km fibre line between Inuvik and High Level, Alberta.

With this, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is one step closer to fulfilling its Mandate commitment to complete the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Optic Link in order to help modernize the economy and enable growth in all economic sectors.

YELLOWKNIFE (March 20, 2017) – Minister of Finance, Robert C. McLeod announced today that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has begun the formal procurement process for the Tłı̨chǫ All Season Road (TASR) by releasing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to design, build, finance, operate and maintain an all-season road to Whatì.

YELLOWKNIFE (March 3, 2017) – Minister of Finance Robert C. McLeod today outlined further adjustments by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to the proposed 2017-18 operating budget.

Changes proposed in a statement today by the Minister include increased funding for homecare, a program for youth in crisis, additional funding for the Anti-Poverty Fund, Mineral Incentive Program, Community Access Road Program and for freight costs associated with the fishing industry.

Delivered on March 3, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the progress to approve the 2017-2018 Main Estimates. Since the Budget Address on February 1, 2017 we have seen significant debate on specific elements of our annual budget and an extensive review of the Main Estimates in Committee of the Whole.

YELLOWKNIFE (February 1, 2017) – Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod released the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) 2017-18 Budget today, highlighting $55 million in new investments for initiatives related to the priorities of the 18^th Legislative Assembly and to strengthen delivery of existing programs.

Introduction

Mr. Speaker, there is a tradition of Finance Ministers in Canada wearing new shoes when delivering the budget address as a symbol for the direction described in the annual budget. Today, I am wearing my mukluks. I do this as a reminder to myself of where we come from and the importance of the work we do here for residents in all communities, large and small, throughout the Northwest Territories.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 6, 2016) – Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod announced an agreement with Northern Lights General Partnership today to provide high-speed fibre backhaul services for communities in the Mackenzie Valley connected to the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link (MVFL).

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the Government of the Northwest Territories took part in a national business satisfaction survey, known as “Taking Care of Business”.  The survey is administered independently, by the Institute for Citizen-Centered Service.

Between January and June 2016, more than 200 NWT businesses were surveyed, to get feedback on government service delivery.  The results will help government identify priorities for improving service to business.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update the Members and residents on our fiscal situation.

The passage of the first budget of the 18th Legislative Assembly in June, just four short months ago, was the start of our commitment to three objectives in our fiscal strategy. First, we need to ensure we demonstrate discipline in our spending so that our expenditure growth is aligned with revenue growth. Currently this is particularly challenging as most of our revenues are based on federal transfers that are expected to have little growth in the medium term.

YELLOWKNIFE  (JULY 25, 2016)  - The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) received confirmation of its Aa1 credit rating with a stable outlook from Moody’s Investor Services. With this latest confirmation, the GNWT has maintained this rating for a decade. The Aa1 rating is the second-highest rating available from Moody’s, who evaluated the credit strengths and challenges of the territory.