(Check against delivery)

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be in Seattle, and to once again have an opportunity to address the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region forum.

The territory represented by PNWER, and the jurisdictions it represents, embody the very best of both Canada and America – hard work, ingenuity, respectful and sustainable development of resources, productive competition, creativity, innovation, and cooperative coexistence.

Mr. Speaker, entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Northwest Territories are committed, passionate, and extremely hard working.

I would like to take the opportunity to recognize a particularly dedicated business owner, Mr. Francis Anderson.  Mr. Anderson has been the owner and operator of Saville Enterprises, a thriving hardware store in the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, since the age of 19.

Mr. Speaker, over the last few days the future of energy and the approach of the Government of the Northwest Territories to energy in the Northwest Territories has been explored, deliberated and discussed at length.

The 2014 Northwest Territories Energy Charrette has generated a great deal of interest throughout our territory and beyond. Over 120 people participated in the entire Charrette and there were many more who attended the public discussion held on Monday, November 3rd.

OTTAWA, Ontario (December 17, 2013) – An important milestone has been reached yesterday in the community of Délı̨nę with the initialling of the Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement (FSGA). This brings this community closer to having control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, including how programs and services will be delivered.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 16, 2013) – The GNWT’s new service directory provides residents and businesses with a more effective and efficient way to find the government services they require.

“The service directory connects people, information, and services,” said Minister of Finance Michael Miltenberger. “Improving our use of technology will reduce red tape by making it easier for our residents to get government services.”

YELLOWKNIFE (December 12, 2013) – Members of Cabinet of the 17^th Legislative Assembly and the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) Board of Directors met at the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife and signed a Memorandum of Intent on Capacity Building. The agreement commits the GTC and Government of the

(December 9, 2013) - Northwest Territories residents can join other Canadians in signing Canada’s official condolence book for His Excellency Nelson Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa.

A link to the book has been posted on the Government of the Northwest Territories’ website.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 8, 2013) - Premier Bob McLeod will travel to South Africa this week to pay his final respects to His Excellency Nelson Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa, as part of the Canadian delegation being led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Premier will represent the Northwest Territories at the commemorative service being held in Johannesburg on December 10 and Mr. Mandela's lying in State in Pretoria on December 11.

Today we remember a targeted attack on women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. This was a horrific act of violence, and we must all work together to ensure that this never happens again. We are all responsible for making our homes and communities safer by protecting victims and their children, holding violent people accountable for their actions, and providing opportunities for change.

(December 5, 2013) - Honourable members, thank you for the invitation to address the Senate Committee on Energy. I am pleased to be here to speak to you today about Bill C-15, the Northwest Territories Devolution Act.

Devolution of responsibility for public lands, resources and water has been a priority for the people and Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories for many years.