Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to capture opportunities for investment in transportation infrastructure by working to secure funding to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway, make an all-weather road from Highway No. 3 to Whati and improve access into the Slave Geological Province. Today I would like to provide an update on the progress made by the Department on these projects, where work continues to steadily advance.

Mr. Speaker, transitioning away from expensive fossil fuels for home heating and electricity generation will be critical for reducing the cost of living for NWT residents and protecting the NWT environment, but it will take time, innovative approaches and continued investment. I would like to update Members on some of the work that Public Works and Services is doing this year to support the use of energy efficient technologies, as well as increase the production of renewable and alternative energy in the NWT.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 13, 2016) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will be engaging northerners this fall and winter on the development of the NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework and an NWT Energy Strategy.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its Mandate to capture opportunities for investment in transportation infrastructure by working to secure funding to advance the Tłįchǫ all-season road. 

Mr. Speaker, investments in the transportation system help to improve the safety of the travelling public, lower the cost of living, adapt to the effects of climate change, and support economic opportunities. Successful funding agreements with Canada are critical to see these projects to completion.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its Mandate to capture opportunities for investment in transportation infrastructure by working to secure funding to advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Mr. Speaker, the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway is also part of our long–term transportation strategy.  The northern most part of the highway, between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, is steadily advancing towards completion.  At the same time, our government is also focused on another critical section of the Mackenzie Valley Highway.

YELLOWKNIFE (June 8, 2016) – Minister of Public Works and Services Caroline Cochrane tabled the North Slave Resiliency Study during today’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

The study was undertaken in response to a commitment in the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Mandate to better use our existing hydroelectric resources by exploring options to respond to low water in the North Slave hydroelectric power system.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its Mandate to create a new three-year Energy Action Plan, building on previous investments made over the past three years and the outcomes of the Energy Plan review.

As you have heard from the Minister of Public Works and Services, the Government of the Northwest Territories has accomplished a great deal in the areas of energy conservation and efficiency, and in implementing alternative and renewable energy solutions in recent years.  

Mr. Speaker, it has been just over one year since Government of the Northwest Territories energy functions were consolidated in the Department of Public Works and Services. Today I would like to update Members on some of the work that this division is doing.

Mr. Speaker, it’s an honour to report on the third successful winter of construction on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway project.