Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the International Day of the Girl Child. Plan International Canada, with all-party support from the Canadian Parliament, led global efforts to recognize this day.  Their actions resulted in October 11^th being recognized by the United Nations for the first time in 2012 as a day to champion the empowerment and rights of girls around the world.  This is a powerful accomplishment, and I am extremely proud of our country’s leadership in this effort.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my colleagues back to the Legislative Assembly for the continuation of the Third Session. This will be a very active sitting for us, as we continue making important decisions to create a strong future for the Northwest Territories.

With one year left in our term, we are getting into the home stretch for the 18^th Legislative Assembly.

Today, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to introduce two new initiatives that make it easier for Indigenous northerners to access training and gain valuable on-the-job experience.

The Yellowknife launch of the cross-Canada touring art and film installation pÎkiskwe-speak: An Invitation to Conversations in Reconciliation will be marked by a special event at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

The Cassidy Point Development Area Regulations and the Yellowknife Watershed Development Area Regulations under the Area Development Act; and, the Commissioner’s Land Regulat

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has shown significant improvement in its French language communications and services, according to an independent report released today.

Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod issued the following statement today on next steps on future Arctic oil and gas development:

“The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) welcomes an announcement on offshore development in the Arctic Ocean by federal Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi.

The Department of Infrastructure (INF), with assistance from the RCMP, conducted a roadside drug and alcohol survey from September 26- 29, 2018 in Yellowknife.

The survey was to collect baseline data on the prevalence of impaired driving before the legalization of cannabis on October 17. This data will assist INF in creating educational campaigns that target specific groups based on the frequency of drug and alcohol use.

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations, Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services, has approved a process to waive the Northwest Territories (NWT) change of name fee for Residential School Survivors and their families who wish to reclaim their name. The recommendation is to waive fees for a period of five years.

The Minister is extending this process to all Indigenous residents who wish to correct the names on their NWT birth certificates that were affected by historical errors.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Glen Abernethy, has appointed Dr. Kami Kandola as the new Chief Public Health Officer for Northwest Territories effective October 1, 2018.

Dr. Kandola replaces Dr. Andre Corriveau, who will assume the role of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Acting Medical Director September 1^st, 2018 for a period of one year.