Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to focus on mental health and addictions, to enhance access to culturally-appropriate programs and services, address gaps in services, and enhance treatment options.

We have made progress.  Last November, we tabled the strategic framework, Mind and Spirit: Promoting Mental Health and Addictions Recovery. This framework sets the foundation for improvements to mental health and addictions programs and services.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is committed to working with our public sector partners to maintain a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system.  

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to work collaboratively to reduce poverty in the NWT by working with our partners to advance the Territorial Anti-Poverty Action Plan, funding community-based partners, supporting community priorities for wellness and developing additional options for action.

Mr. Speaker, this government has heard that the people of the Northwest Territories want 9-1-1 and we have listened to them. In his budget address, the Minister of Finance announced that this government plans to implement a territorial-9-1-1 program. Today, I wish to take this opportunity to expand on this important announcement.

Mr. Speaker, this government made a commitment in its mandate to enhance access to culturally-appropriate programs and services.    

The last government convened a Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness to travel across the Northwest Territories and come back with recommendations that would have a real impact in dealing with addictions.  The top priority identified by the Forum was more on-the-land healing programs.  This is the wisdom of our communities.  

Mr. Speaker, our government has committed in its mandate to pursue innovative ways to prevent and reduce crime. The Department of Justice recognizes that to make a difference, our response must address the root causes that lead an individual to break the law in the first place.

Mr. Speaker, two of the key factors in community wellness and safety are education and partnership. Every person and organization across the Northwest Territories has something to contribute to help make our communities healthy and safe.

At the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, all of our programs and services follow a continuum of strategies, building on the foundations of the others. These strategies are designed to address community and resident needs from early childhood, through to ensuring Northerners have the skills, attitudes and opportunities for success.

Mr. Speaker, a strong partnership with the Government of Canada is essential to ensuring Northerners can achieve their social, environmental and economic goals. By working with our Federal counterparts, the Government of the Northwest Territories will help create an NWT where all people can thrive and be healthy, where a strong economy provides jobs and opportunities for all our communities, and where a well-managed environment contributes to our economic well-being and quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation has made a commitment in its mandate to restore safe operating conditions in the Port of Hay River by strengthening connections with public and private sectors partners.  

Mr. Speaker, over the past year, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has implemented new initiatives and improved existing programs and services to help meet our mandate commitments to address the cost of living for NWT residents.

We all understand the importance of reducing poverty and providing our residents with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and live healthy, productive lives. The work underway at the Department supports those goals.