Premier Caroline Cochrane tabled the 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the Legislative Assembly today.
Developed to meet the needs and aspirations of NWT residents, the 2019-2023 Mandate of the GNWT will guide how government will take action on the 22 Priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly.
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Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to rise and speak to Members about the celebration of the 2020 Hockey Day in Canada being hosted here in Yellowknife. The celebration was launched on February 5th and will continue to the 8th.
This event marks the 9th year of the festival celebrating hockey, one of Canada’s national sports. Norman Wells, Dettah and N’Dilo will also play host to visits associated with Hockey Day in Canada, as well as Deline, which is the birthplace of hockey in Canada.
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Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada was tabled on the audit of Early Childhood and the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system in the Northwest Territories. The Report focused on five areas: Inclusive schooling; Indigenous language and culture-based education; equitable access to quality education; programming, staff qualifications, and training in licensed early childhood programs; and how these areas worked to support student outcomes.
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Mr. Speaker, later today, I will be tabling the Mandate of the GNWT 2019-2023. The Mandate will guide our actions as a government and serve to hold Cabinet accountable as we work to advance the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly.
The Northwest Territories faces unprecedented challenges. We have been elected in a time of global economic uncertainty, increasingly complex social issues, and multifaceted impacts of climate change.
Mr. Speaker, caribou are central to our communities, as a food source and as part of the local culture and way of life.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, our caribou herds are struggling. In particular, the Bathurst and Bluenose-East herds have suffered serious declines in recent years.
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Please be seated.
Happy New Year everyone! I am once again honoured to welcome you all back. I trust you all had a wonderful festive season with your loved ones.
As we enter a new decade, we begin our work for the people of the Northwest Territories. Your work can be challenging, but working together as a team will ensure you make the best decisions.
I wish you a productive session with good outcomes and personal balance with life and work for each of you.
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Mr. Speaker, today I rise to provide an update to Northerners on the 2019 novel coronavirus. I would like to assure residents that at this time the risk of contracting this virus is low in the NWT.
Since the coronavirus was first reported in the Hubei Province of China, our Government and the Federal Government have moved quickly to ensure we are prepared. Our public health and emergency preparations are well underway and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
Premier Caroline Cochrane today announced that Dr. Erin Kelly has been named Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) and that Mr. Andy Bevan has been named the Associate Deputy Minister, Post-Secondary Education Renewal, and President of Aurora College.
Ministerial Activities Advisory for the week of February 4-10, 2020
Ministerial Travel
Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of February 3, 2020
Meetings and Appearances
After a productive meeting between the board of the Foster Family Coalition of the NWT, Minister Diane Thom and officials from the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority, have agreed to find new ways to collaborate for addressing the on-the-ground and in the home needs of caregivers, and for addressing challenges within the child and family services system.
