Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, NWT airports are critical to the economic and social well-being of NWT residents. They help to connect communities and families throughout the territory and across the country. Today I am pleased to give you an update on two projects which have been funded by the Government of Canada’s Airport Capital Assistance Program. These projects are very important to the Department of Infrastructure and to residents as they will help to improve safety at NWT airports.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, I would like to update Members and the public on some of the activities occurring at the Yellowknife Airport, or YZF. The airport has had an eventful year that included lucrative cold weather testing partnerships, responding to challenges from COVID-19-related events and work to advance important infrastructure improvements.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, the trucking sector is an important industry in the Northwest Territories. Our communities and residents rely on this sector to deliver essential supplies to northern communities every day. At the same time, the health and safety of NWT residents is a top priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories. We must consider policies that will make our transportation system safer for everyone.

The Government of Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) Department of Infrastructure has posted a presentation on the planned capital spending for the year ahead as part of its annual Industry Day.

Every year, the GNWT hosts Industry Day, this is an opportunity for contractors and organizations, interested in doing business with the GNWT, to gather information on planned capital projects and expected budgets for projects taking place during the upcoming fiscal year.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has started construction of the Inuvik Wind Project.

The project is a key initiative under the 2030 Energy Strategy and will reduce diesel consumption in the NWT’s largest off-grid community by 30 percent – offsetting approximately three million litres of diesel per year. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,000 tonnes per year and will provide economic opportunities to Northern businesses during the construction phase.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking input from the public to develop the 2022-2025 Energy Action Plan, which will lay out GNWT actions and initiatives to advance the objectives of the 2030 Energy Strategy.

The 2030 Energy Strategy sets out the GNWT’s long-term approach to supporting secure, affordable, and sustainable energy in the Northwest Territories. The 2022-2025 Energy Action Plan will build on current projects and initiatives and continue successful programs, it will also include new activities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has introduced mandatory entry level training for commercial truck drivers obtaining a Class 1 licence. 

Following the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy in 2018, there were renewed calls for mandatory entry level training in Canada. Entry level training will now be required for anyone seeking to obtain a Class 1 licence (which allows individuals to operate semi-trailers and tractor trailers) for the first time.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has approved a project under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Grant Program for Governments that will see a liquefied natural gas tank installed for the Inuvik power plant.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, strengthening our leadership and authority on climate change and enhancing efforts to stabilize the cost of power is a priority of the Government of the Northwest Territories. So is increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has taken action to address the climate crisis and make energy more secure, reliable, and sustainable in 2020-2021.

Progress is highlighted in four reports, which will be tabled in the legislature later today - Responding to Climate Change: Overview Report 2020-2021, NWT Climate Change Action Plan Report 2020-2021, Northwest Territories Energy Initiatives Report 2020-2021, and the NWT Carbon Tax Report 2020-2021.

The overview report summarizes the GNWT’s activities to address climate change.