The annual Premier’s Awards for Excellence were held in the Caribou Room of the Chateau Nova Hotel this morning.

 The Premier’s Award recognizes the outstanding achievement of individual GNWT employees or teams of GNWT employees who continue to strive for excellence, best practice management and improvements in the workplace.

The Premier’s Award for Collaboration recognizes the outstanding achievement of GNWT employees in teams who work in partnership with other government and non-government employees to improve services to Northwest Territories’ residents.

Mr. Speaker, thirty-five years ago today, the Committee for Original People’s Entitlement, or COPE, signed the Inuvialuit Final Agreement with the Government of Canada on behalf of the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic. The Inuvialuit Final Agreement was the first comprehensive land claim agreement north of the 60^th parallel and only the second of its kind in Canada. In many ways, this agreement led the way for the future negotiation of land, resources and self-government agreements in this territory and, perhaps, in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome all Members back to the continuation of the Third Session of the 18^th Legislative Assembly. As we near the end of our term, our government continues to focus on advancing the priorities of the Assembly and fulfilling remaining mandate items. These are intended to help create a better future for all residents of the Northwest Territories, including the advancement of outstanding claims and self-government negotiations.

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your invitation to appear before the Standing Committee today as you review Bill C-88 - An Act to amend the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act.

As you review this bill, I would like to share with you some of the Northwest Territories recent history which is specific to the NWT offshore and the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

Good afternoon,

It is great to be here in Seattle for Arctic Encounters 2019.

As a leader from an Arctic region, and as an Indigenous person, I have made it my life’s work to encourage the right kinds of development, collaboration and opportunity for the people of the North. For us in the Northwest Territories, responsible resource development remains one of most meaningful paths to promote opportunity and self-sufficiency for our residents.

The Arctic is the future, and how that future is built and managed be led by and meet the needs of Northerners.

Premier Bob McLeod today announced the appointment of Mr. Sandy Kalgutkar as Associate Deputy Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Kalgutkar will assume his position effective May 13, 2019.

In his new role, Mr. Kalgutkar will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of major infrastructure projects of critical significance to the long-term economic health of the Northwest Territories, including Taltson Hydro Expansion, Slave Geological Province Corridor, and Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Premier Bob McLeod issued the following statement today about the 2019-20 federal budget that was released this week:

“My reaction to the federal budget released yesterday is one of optimism. As Premier of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to see the Government of Canada invest in the middle class, but also make good on its commitment to support the Northwest Territories and support our government in advancing some of our priorities.  

Check against delivery

Good morning,

I see a lot of familiar faces in the room this morning. In fact I’ll bet many of you have heard me speak before about the importance of oil and gas development in the North.

I remain committed to the future of this country and of the Northwest Territories, but as I come to the end of my second term as Premier of the Northwest Territories I have to say, my patience is wearing thin.

Premier Bob McLeod and Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment today announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas Weegar as the Associate Deputy Minister of Postsecondary Education for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

Premier Bob McLeod issued the following statement today on events at the Yellowknife South constituency meeting on the evening of February 5, 2019:

“I am disappointed by the events that took place at my constituency meeting last night. These meetings are an important opportunity for me to hear about all priorities and concerns from residents of my riding. The constituency meeting was not meant to be a forum to carry on negotiations that will be taking place in another forum.