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Mr. Speaker, on November 24th I rose before this House to announce a strategy for renewal of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. A strategy that is focused on taking action to address the housing crisis in the Northwest Territories.  I am very pleased to rise again today to announce that, guided by the strategy, we are continuing to take action and set the stage for real, positive change.

The Government of Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) Department of Infrastructure has posted a presentation on the planned capital spending for the year ahead as part of its annual Industry Day.

Every year, the GNWT hosts Industry Day, this is an opportunity for contractors and organizations, interested in doing business with the GNWT, to gather information on planned capital projects and expected budgets for projects taking place during the upcoming fiscal year.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) has launched a survey to gather input on the 2022 Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (HIRA). The Northwest Territories (NWT) HIRA provides an examination of the risks that pose the greatest threat to the people, property, environment, and economy of the NWT.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), Caroline Wawzonek, is pleased to announce further increased supports for small and medium businesses across the Northwest Territories (NWT).

Since March 2020, the GNWT has been supporting entrepreneurs and businesses through diverse and flexible programming, assisting businesses with costs such as rent, utilities, and bookkeeping.

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Mr. Speaker, today is Pink Shirt Day, a day when we take a moment to pause and reflect on how we treat one another.

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Mr. Speaker, as we pass the mid-point for the 19^th Legislative Assembly, it is important to take stock of where we are as a government, and the progress we are making in fulfilling the commitments we made in our mandate.

At the beginning of this Legislative Assembly, our government tabled the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories 2019-2023 , which established the actions we planned to take to advance the 22 shared priorities set by this Legislative Assembly.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has started construction of the Inuvik Wind Project.

The project is a key initiative under the 2030 Energy Strategy and will reduce diesel consumption in the NWT’s largest off-grid community by 30 percent – offsetting approximately three million litres of diesel per year. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,000 tonnes per year and will provide economic opportunities to Northern businesses during the construction phase.

Today, the Premier’s Awards for Excellence winners were announced. Due to COVID-19 public health restrictions, no award ceremony was held this year. Instead, the recipients were notified by email and the physical awards are being mailed out.

The annual Premier’s Award for Excellence program recognizes the outstanding achievement of Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) employees or teams who continue to strive for excellence.

This year, honours were presented in two separate categories.

Today, Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek released the 2022-23 Budget, the third budget of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

Total revenues of $2.3 billion are expected in 2022‑23 and total expenditures of $2.06 billion, which include spending for programs and services and infrastructure contributions. The 2022‑23 surplus is forecasted to be $131 million.

Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, issued the following statement on Canada’s Agriculture Day:

“Today is Canada’s Agriculture Day, celebrating a critical industry that touches everyone’s lives. In the Northwest Territories (NWT), agriculture is literally and figuratively a growing sector, with initiatives and projects in every region across the territory.