The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has joined the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, which is designed to help employers in Canada connect with and hire skilled refugees overseas.

The GNWT has opted to participate in this pilot to give employers another option to address the realities of the labour market in the Northwest Territories (NWT) and Canada. Through the pilot, employers will be able to access a new pool of potential employees.

Today, the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) released its sixth free mental health and wellness box to Northwest Territories (NWT) youth. These boxes are being made available as part of the My Voice My Choice campaign for youth wellness.

The theme of this month’s box is “Taking Care of Our Land.” Youth aged 13-18 and organizations who serve them can request a box by emailing mha@gov.nt.ca.

Effective immediately, the Government of the Northwest Territories is offering daily walk-in and appointment booking services to clients at the Yellowknife Driver and Vehicle office.

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Mr. Speaker, today we are acknowledging Pink Shirt Day, a day to reflect on how we treat one another.

Two brave teenagers in Nova Scotia sparked Pink Shirt Day 15 years ago, after a male student in their school was harassed for wearing a pink shirt. The next morning, David Shepherd and Travis Price handed out pink shirts to all the male students. Now, Pink Shirt Day is a call-to-action for schools, communities and workplaces to wear pink in solidarity against bullying.

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Mr. Speaker, this time next week, the residents of Fort Simpson will be rolling out the red carpet for the fourth-annual Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Film Festival.  The festival is presented each year by the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation with funding and support from the GNWT and the NWT Film Commission.

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Mr. Speaker, every year we honour the efforts of individuals, groups and organizations who strengthen the arts, cultures, heritage, and Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories. Today, I am proud to announce the 2022 Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle Award recipients.

Members of Cabinet met yesterday with federal Ministers to discuss increases to federal health care funding.

Premier Caroline Cochrane was joined by Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green and Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek in a meeting with federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc and federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is accepting funding proposals for the Supporting Child Inclusion and Participation program.

The program supports and promotes access to early learning and child care for all children by funding eligible organizations to create community play-based early childhood programs. It also provides supports for children with developmental needs who require enhanced or individual assistance to safely and fully participate in early learning.

 Funding is available to:

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Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide an update on the progress of Housing NWT’s Community Housing Plans, which is a comprehensive, detailed information document to better direct housing investment in NWT communities.

Through partnerships with Indigenous governments, community governments, and stakeholders, over the last three years housing plans have been completed in Fort Good Hope, Whatì, Paulatuk, Enterprise, Nahanni Butte, and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation.

Premier Caroline Cochrane has made the following change to senior management in the Northwest Territories public service.

Dr. Erin Kelly is appointed as Deputy Minister of the new Department of Environment and Climate Change, effective April 1, 2023. The Deputy Minister of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) since February 2020, Dr. Kelly played a key leadership role for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in bringing to successful conclusion negotiations to establish Thaidene Nëné and Ts’udé Nilįné Tuyeta.