Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the following portfolio assignments for Members of the Executive Council of the 19^th Legislative Assembly today:

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Good evening.

It’s a pleasure to be here this evening at the Dominion Diamond Blue Collar Gala to celebrate trades professionals in our territory and support Skills Canada NWT.

I am also pleased that I have the opportunity to speak to you this evening on behalf of the Premier of Northwest Territories, Caroline Cochrane.

Premier Caroline Cochrane has announced that Ms. Shaleen Woodward has been appointed to the position of Principal Secretary effective October 25, 2019. 

Canada’s northern premiers have sent letters to each national party leader in advance of the federal election. The letters seek each federal leaders’ views on northern issues while calling for continued collaboration between all governments.
The letters are publicly available on each territorial governments’ website.

Contact

Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca

Mr. Speaker, as the 18^th Legislative Assembly comes to an end, now is a good time for us to look back at the past four years and the good work we have done together for the people of the Northwest Territories.

The 18^th Assembly has been the first full Assembly since the federal government devolved responsibility for public lands, resources and waters to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, the 18^th Legislative Assembly has made it a priority to strengthen relationships with NWT Indigenous governments. We have focused on fostering government-to-government relationships, and advancing, finalizing and implementing land, resources and self-government agreements.  Together we have charted a vision for the economic future of the NWT, and we have come together to make the case for greater investment and decision making in our territory.

Mr. Speaker, international interest in the North has been increasing steadily over the past few years. As the effects of climate change increase access to the Arctic, the global geopolitical context for the region is changing.

With enormous untapped opportunities for shipping, research and resource development, many countries are looking to influence the development of policies and international agreements that will benefit them and their interests in the region.

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to update this Assembly on negotiations toward the shared management of oil and gas resources in the NWT offshore, along with our ongoing work to undertake a 5-year science-based review of the federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas activity in arctic waters.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome my colleagues back for the final sitting of the 18^th Legislative Assembly.

The past four years have been busy and we have done a lot of good work together. We have also had a few spirited discussions about how to decide what is best for the people that we serve as Members of this Assembly.

Throughout our term, our decisions have been guided by the Mandate we adopted unanimously at the beginning of this Assembly and revised in October 2017.

Thank you, I am pleased to see you all here today. I am looking forward to a good discussion about the growing importance of the Arctic at the international level and what that means for Canada as a nation and as a global actor on the geopolitical stage.