Mr. Speaker, the sustainability and growth of the NWT economy requires strategic investment and diversification. The mandate we set for our 18th Legislative Assembly highlights the importance of investing in renewable resources, agriculture, arts, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, tourism, traditional harvesting and the knowledge economy.
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Mr. Speaker, we are continuing with our mandate commitment to implement the Education Renewal and Innovation Framework and Action Plan. I am pleased to report that the education system is improving to meet the needs of the students, educators and families of the Northwest Territories. We are at the mid-point of our 10-year strategy, and we are seeing numerous successes and further opportunities for action.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Glen Abernethy provided a statement on the 2018 Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s Report on Child and Family Services in the Northwest Territories.
“Our top priority is to ensure the safety and security of children and youth receiving services and care from Child and Family Services. The Auditor General’s report contains findings that are disappointing and concerning to all of us and which require immediate action to address.
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to the follow-up audit on Child and Family Services that was tabled in the House yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, our top priority is to ensure the safety and security of children and youth receiving services and care from Child and Family Services.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann today congratulates the winners of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala:
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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Family Violence Awareness Week. This week is recognized across the country, and takes place from October 21 to 27, 2018.
Statistics Canada reports that, in 2016, family violence accounted for one-quarter of all violent crimes. These are criminal acts perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of society: youth, seniors, women and girls. In 2016, two thirds of all victims of family violence were women and girls.
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Mr. Speaker, this government has committed to working in partnership with other governments to address affordable housing requirements in support of their service delivery to Northwest Territories residents. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has made progress in meeting this mandate commitment in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
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Mr. Speaker, with over 90 percent of the NWT’s business defined as small businesses, this sector is essential to economic health in our communities and a primary driver of economic diversification across our territory. Support from our government is more important than ever before.
This is Small Business Week in Canada. It offers us an opportunity to celebrate the successes of small businesses in the NWT and our support for the people whose life’s work is the backbone of our NWT economy.
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Mr. Speaker, one of the key priority areas in our government’s mandate was to address the needs of individuals affected by mental health and addictions. That is why we released Mind and Spirit: Promoting Mental Health and Addictions Recovery in the Northwest Territories, which is our strategic framework that helps guide our work in this area.
I’d like to provide an update on some important initiatives we are taking to enhance and improve services in the mental health and addictions area.
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Marine Transportation Services delivers essential goods by tug and barge to all marine-accessible communities in the NWT. Residents rely on the service to receive such items as fuel, food, and household goods, while commercial customers also require fuel, mobile equipment, and building supplies to support their businesses and provide economic growth for the territory.
