Mr. Speaker, responsible mineral exploration and development strengthens our territorial economy and helps to provide each region with opportunities and choices.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a vision of a strong, prosperous North. We know that creating this North starts with healthy, safe communities where people can prosper, free from the fear of violence.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a challenging summer for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. During this past summer the Taltson hydroelectric plant and the transmission lines between the Snare plants and Yellowknife were threatened by forest fires. Fortunately, all major infrastructure was preserved however, these same fires were responsible for half of the power outages experienced on the Snare system.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of our community and regional economies.

To encourage economic diversity and sustainability, the Government of the Northwest Territories has long supported the interests and growth of this highly valued segment of the North’s economic community through a variety of programs and services.

Mr. Speaker, investing in the health and well-being of our people and our communities and building prosperity in the Northwest Territories is at the heart of this Assembly’s priorities. But it is not our priority alone. Mr. Speaker, these goals are shared by many non-governmental organizations in our territory, by our citizens and by our employees.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide this House with an update on the  Med-Response system.

Med-Response is the first program of its kind in Canada – or anywhere else, as far as we know.  Other jurisdictions have call centres to coordinate air ambulance triage and dispatch, or call centres to provide clinical consultation, but Med-Response is breaking new ground by combining these functions into one operation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update Members and the public on our fiscal situation and discuss the ways we are addressing our challenges during the remaining life of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will table “Building Stronger Families – An Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services”as well as the formal response to Committee Report 6-17(5).  This Government is committed to a fundamental shift in how we deliver child and family services in the Northwest Territories. The Action Plan will guide necessary and transformational changes to improve the overall quality of these services, and achieve better outcomes for children and their families when they require services under the Child and Family Services Act.

Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome all Members back for the resumption of the Fifth Session of the 17^th Legislative Assembly.

Last month, Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories announced that it would cover the expected $20 million dollars in increased operating costs that the Northwest Territories Power Corporation faces due to extremely low water levels in the Snare Hydro System.

(Check against delivery)

Thank you. As Premier of the Northwest Territories and as someone born and raised in the North, I am pleased to be here today to present a Northern perspective on Canada’s term as Chair of the Arctic Council.

On September 9th of this year the governments of Canada and Nunavut announced that they had found the final resting place of one of the ships of the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Lost 168 years ago, the fate of Sir John Franklin and his men has been a mystery which has captured imaginations around the world ever since.