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Minister of Infrastructure, Caroline Wawzonek, issued the following statement today regarding the filing of Northwest Territories Power Corporation’s (NTPC) General Rate Application:

A new pan-Canadian initiative, Pathways to Teach Canada, has been introduced in the Northwest Territories (NWT) to simplify the evaluation of internationally educated teachers' credentials and language competencies.

By participating in Pathways to Teach Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is taking action to address the challenges of recruiting educators. This initiative will make recruiting internationally educated teachers easier for NWT education bodies, including assessing their credentials.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has introduced a new tool to address the ongoing drug toxicity crisis and contaminated illicit drug supply. The Randox MultiSTAT Analyzer, now in use by Coroner Services, allows for rapid toxicology screening of substances involved in suspicious deaths, helping the Chief Coroner and Chief Public Health Officer take swift action to protect the public.

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Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about gender-based violence. Two out of 100 residents in the NWT have reported intimate partner and family violence to the police. As of 2019, Statistics Canada lists the NWT as having the second highest rate of police-reported intimate partner and family violence in Canada, and we know that not everyone reports these incidents to the police.

Women are disproportionally affected by gender-based violence.

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Following portion will be spoken in Dene Kǝdǝ́

[Mr. Speaker, genuine education is rooted in place and culture, and it cannot be nurtured in isolation. As the guiding piece of legislation for our Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system, it is essential that the Education Act includes the voices and perspectives of Indigenous governments and our education partners.

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on the challenges faced this year in maintaining the Northwest Territories' supply chain and the steps our government is taking to address them.

Our territory has been hit hard by a combination of record low-water levels, wildfires, rail disruptions, and added strain on our winter road systems. These issues have impacted the delivery of fuel, goods and services to our communities.

But, Mr. Speaker, I want to assure you and the residents of the NWT that we have taken decisive action.

The Strategic Plan on French Language Communications and Services 2023 – 2028 is now available to the public.

Originally developed in 2013 by the Francophone Affairs Secretariat to guide the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) with development, implementation, offer and delivery of French language communications and services to the public.

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Mr. Speaker, when students have food security, they can focus on learning, growing, and participating within their school communities; and most importantly, on being kids.

To help students succeed, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are working towards signing a three-year funding agreement that will support the expansion of the NWT school food program: Healthy Food for Learning.