March is Nutrition Month! This year’s theme is Nourish to Flourish. The link between food and personal health cannot be underestimated, and it includes the connection between food and overall wellbeing, mental health, emotional resilience and social connections.

Registered dietitians play a vital role in nutrition guidance that supports the unique needs of NWT residents. Eating a variety of healthy food each day helps to manage weight, prevent illness, and promote overall wellbeing.

This Nutrition Month, practice healthy eating by:

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Mr. Speaker, vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect residents and communities from serious diseases. Today vaccine hesitancy and misinformation are weakening trust in science and public health. As a result, vaccination rates are declining, leaving residents,  especially Elders and children,  vulnerable to preventable diseases.

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Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT continues to expand its inventory of public housing units. These new units will provide stable living conditions and reduce homelessness for vulnerable populations. Safe, affordable housing improves quality of life. It impacts health, self-confidence, stability, and stronger families, giving people the chance to look beyond survival and focus on opportunity.

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Mr. Speaker, strengthening internal trade is essential to ensuring that businesses across Canada can grow, compete, and thrive. With the United States’ decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports and the Canadian government’s counter-tariffs, Canada urgently needs to strengthen our internal trade framework. Studies show that eliminating interprovincial trade barriers could add billions to Canada’s gross domestic product annually, lower consumer costs, and improve supply chain resilience.

Premier Simpson issued the following statement today in response to the latest round of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and the Canadian government’s newly announced countermeasures:

“The Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods is unjustified, short-sighted, and harmful to businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.

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Mr. Speaker, almost 30% of residents in the Northwest Territories over the age of 15 consider themselves smokers. Smoking, which includes vaping, remains one of the worst substances for your overall health and can significantly reduce a person’s life expectancy. That is why the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to find new ways to support residents in making the shift towards a smoke-free life.

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Mr. Speaker, as the 2025 wildfire season approaches, I would like to provide an update on the planning and investments we have made to support wildfire prevention, mitigation and resilience. Our approach is focused on preparing people and communities across the NWT to live safely alongside wildfire, ensuring that we are ready for emergencies.

New reports on developmental inclusion practices and supports within Northwest Territories (NWT) early learning and child care settings are now available.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is increasing fees in regulations by approximately 4% starting April 1, 2025, to reflect rising inflation. This routine adjustment will affect Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Salespersons, Business Licences, Vendors, Direct Sellers, Collection Agencies, and Plan Reviews.

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Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Member for Hay River North, the Premier will be absent from the House today due to illness.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.