Premier R.J. Simpson and Minister Caroline Wawzonek issued the following statements today in response to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and Pehdzéh Kı̨ First Nation regarding the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway.

Premier R. J. Simpson

“The signing by Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, and Pehdzéh Kı̨ First Nation is an important moment for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and for the future of the Northwest Territories.

Lesa Semmler, Minister of Health and Social Services, issued the following statement in response to the Auditor General’s report on Child and Family Services and recent public discussion about the findings:

“Over the past several days, there has been significant public discussion about the Auditor General’s report on Child and Family Services.

I want to speak to families, frontline staff, Indigenous governments, communities, and everyone who cares about the safety and well-being of children in the Northwest Territories.

Vince McKay, Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), issued the following statement today after the Legislative Assembly passed Bill 48, An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, No. 2:

“Today, we have taken an important step to better support the people who answer the call when Northerners need help most.

Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories, issued the following statement today regarding the Government of the Northwest Territories’ approach to encampments in Yellowknife and the completion of a new Encampment Response Framework.

“Encampments are not safe, stable, or sustainable housing, and are not the future we want for anyone experiencing homelessness in the Northwest Territories.

As Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon prepares to conclude her service as Governor General of Canada, Premier Simpson extends his thanks for her leadership and lifelong dedication to Canada and the North.

“For people across the Northwest Territories and the Arctic, Mary Simon’s appointment as Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General carried deep meaning. Throughout her life and her time in office, she brought northern and Indigenous perspectives to the centre of national conversations and reminded Canadians that the North is a vital part of who we are as a country.

Jay Macdonald, Minister of Justice, issued the following statement today after the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act was introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

“Every Northerner deserves to feel safe in their home, in their neighbourhood, and in their community.

Today, as Minister of Justice, I introduced the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, also known as SCAN. This is an important step in our work to support safe communities for Northerners.

Today, Minister Lucy Kuptana issued the following statement for Pride Month:

“June is Pride Month, which is an opportunity to honour our vibrant 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. This is a time to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and lived experiences of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual plus people across our territory. 

Vince McKay, Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, issued the following statement today after legislation to strengthen presumptive coverage for firefighters and first responders was introduced in the Legislative Assembly.

“Firefighters and first responders are there for Northerners during some of the most difficult moments people and communities will ever face.

Premier R.J. Simpson today thanked Brigadier-General Daniel Rivière for his service to the Northwest Territories as Commander of Joint Task Force North and welcomed Brigadier-General Marc Parent as he prepares to assume command.

Minister Vince McKay and Minister Caroline Wawzonek issued the following statements today regarding electricity system planning in the Northwest Territories.

Minister Vince McKay, Minister of Infrastructure

“Across the Northwest Territories, residents, businesses, and communities are facing real pressures when it comes to electricity, including rising costs, aging infrastructure, and the need to modernize how our system operates.