Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice has been a Canadian leader in the Corrections field with innovative and respectful wellness programs for Aboriginal inmates, including traditional counsellors, healing rooms, counselling with Elders and spiritual ceremonies.

As Members from previous Assemblies will remember, I have always been a strong, and at times vocal, proponent of the need for a transparent, effective and accountable Corrections system.

Mr. Speaker, last year I spoke on the government’s Service Innovation Strategy.  Today I would like to provide an update.   The Service Innovation Strategy has many parts and is ultimately intended to improve government services to the public, whether online, by phone or in person.  It supports our 17th Legislative Assembly goal of “Effective and Efficient Government”. 

Mr. Speaker, the second winter of construction on the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway Project is in full swing with our contractor working 24 hours a day, seven days a week from both Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk. Our contract partner, EGT Northwind, is focused on constructing new embankment and installing needed structures during the 20-week construction season, while continuing to train and employ Inuvik and Northern residents on the largest new highway construction project underway in northern Canada.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Lands’ inspection services are essential for responsible and sustainable development in the NWT. Their success hinges on building the capacity of the inspections program through training and professional development planning. Inspections services help companies comply with relevant legislation, and meet the specific terms and conditions set out in authorizations issued by the Department and NWT Land and Water Boards.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has the potential to be an energy giant. We are home to world-class oil and gas reserves in the Deh Cho, Central Mackenzie, Mackenzie Delta, and Beaufort Sea. This territory sits atop an estimated 80 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and seven billion barrels of oil. Estimates indicate the Arctic contains one-fifth of the world’s untapped oil and gas reserves.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House that the Territorial Nominee Program has been greatly enhanced to better meet the needs of employers and to advance the population and economic growth objectives set by this government.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Transportation is updating its Multi-modal Transportation Strategy that will guide further development of our integrated air, road, rail, and marine systems over the next 25 years.  Engaging stakeholders and the public so we understand their priorities and needs has been a critical part of the process.

Mr. Speaker, as we have been hearing in this Assembly recently, on-the-land healing programs are critical to achieving our goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty. That discussion echoes recommendations previously made by the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness.

Mr. Speaker, the resource sector is the single largest contributor to the NWT economy. Mining has created more than 28,000 jobs and produced $46 billion in minerals since the early 1930s. Those numbers help to tell the story of our success in this industry, which has provided residents and businesses across the territory with opportunities.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Fostering Open Expression among Youth team, better known as FOXY, for receiving the 1 million dollar Arctic Inspiration Prize.