Mr. Speaker, we know that mental health and addictions issues are top of mind for many NWT residents and they are also priority area in the mandate of this Legislative Assembly. To guide our work to address these important issues affecting our communities, the Department of Health and Social Services developed a Strategic Framework for Mental Health and Addictions Recovery in the fall of 2016.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is inviting Northwest Territories (NWT) residents to have their say on the development of two action plans: an Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Sustainable Livelihoods Action Plan and a GNWT Traditional Knowledge Action Plan.
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Good afternoon, and thank you for being here today.
I would like to welcome Madame Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, and MP Michael McLeod to Yellowknife Airport, the largest airport in the Northwest Territories and the gateway to our communities and southern destinations.
YELLOWKNIFE (February 10, 2019) - After two days of mediation convened by Mediator Vince Ready, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers have not reached a tentative agreement.
However, the parties have agreed to submit their outstanding issues to Mr. Ready for binding recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a mandate commitment to use the Land Use and Sustainability Framework to establish the Thaidene Nëné protected area in partnership with Indigenous governments and the Government of Canada.
I can inform Members of the Legislative Assembly that we have made significant progress toward the establishment of the protected area with the negotiation of a draft Establishment Agreement between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes the need to advance the territorial vision of land and resource management in accordance with the Land Use and Sustainability Framework and we have made a mandate commitment to evolve our legislative, regulatory and policy systems by developing and proposing a variety of Acts including a Mineral Resources Act.
Minister of Justice Louis Sebert announced today the appointment of Donovan Frederick Molloy, Q.C., as the new judge of the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories. This appointment will be effective February 20, 2019.
Mr. Molloy graduated with distinction from the Law program at University of New Brunswick in 1992, and was called to the Bar in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1993.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to update Members on our government’s recent work on cannabis public education and community health engagement.
Northerners have told us that they want more evidence-based, culturally relevant information on the health effects of cannabis. In response to that call, the Department of Health and Social Services has been working in partnership with other Departments and agencies, as well as the federal government, to ensure that NWT residents have access to the information and resources they need in order to make informed choices.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a mandate commitment during this Legislative Assembly to continue to develop and advance initiatives to displace diesel generation in the NWT including advancing the Taltson Hydroelectricity Expansion project.
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.
