(November 4, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, as we prepare to commemorate Remembrance Day, I am pleased to confirm the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is designating a section of Highway 1, from the Alberta border to Enterprise, as the NWT Highway of Heroes.  This designation will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Northern soldiers, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical and rescue personnel, and other first responders who have died in the line of duty.

(October 31, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, improving the delivery of programs and services, especially to residents of smaller, remote communities, is an important goal for our government. Later this fiscal year the Department of Transportation will be providing residents with the option to access driver and motor vehicle services from the comfort of their homes, workplaces or from anywhere else with an internet connection.

(October 30, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update the House on the progress being made to advance the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway project.  This winter, we plan to begin constructing the final link between the NWT Highway system and the Arctic coast community of Tuktoyaktuk.  This all-weather highway will be constructed in one of Canada’s most challenging environments.

(October 29. 2013) - Good morning. I’d like to start by acknowledging the Van Horne Institute for their work in organizing this year’s Northern Transportation Conference.

(October 24, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, holding both the transportation and economic development portfolios, I very much appreciate the strong contribution that transportation makes to a strong and prosperous Northwest Territories.  Transportation has always been at the forefront of enabling Northerners to grow and develop our economy.  Never has the role that transportation plays been more important to guaranteeing our future growth and prosperity than it is today.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 23, 2013) – Drive Alive, the Northwest Territories’ road and trail safety program, is delivering on the commitment of the Government of Northwest Territories to injury prevention by supporting the introduction of Project Gearshift in schools in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

HAY RIVER (October 23, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories will honour the sacrifices of first responders and service men and women by designating a portion of Highway 1 (the Mackenzie Highway) as the NWT’s “Highway of Heroes” on November 8, 2013. The Highway of Heroes will run from the Alberta border to Enterprise.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 7, 2013) – Seven Northwest Territories (NWT) students have been awarded $5,000 scholarships under the Northern Aviation Scholarship program (formerly the Aviation Career Development Program) for the 2013-2014 school year. The scholarships are given each year to students from the NWT and Nunavut who are pursuing full-time studies leading to a northern aviation career.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 23, 2013) – Residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT) now have access to a single website to get information about safe travel on the roads, streets and trails of the NWT.

HAY RIVER (August 22, 2013) – The community of Hay River has been named as the winner of a Leela Gilday concert to be held on September 7  at the golf course.  The community successfully fended off challenges by five other communities that had participated in the Buckle Up NWT challenge.

Hay River won the free concert by having the highest percentage of residents wearing their seat belts. 84% of Hay River residents were wearing their seat belts in a recent seat belt survey administered by the Department of Transportation.