Commitment to duty and service to others are important values for Northerners. We have always understood that strong people contributing to their communities is what makes this a strong territory and a strong country.

Today we join Canadians from coast to coast to coast in honouring the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces during their mission in Afghanistan. It is through their actions – and the actions of men and women just like them – that Canada is helping to build a better more peaceful world for all of us.

Thank you, President Gargan.  I am pleased to be here today to welcome you to the 48^th Annual General Meeting of the NWT Association of Communities on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, Minister McLeod and myself. My congratulations to the Association, and to Mayor Roland and the Town of Inuvik, for the great work you have done in organizing this event.

Good morning, I am, pleased to be here to speak to you today. I was wondering what kind of turnout we’d get this morning, as we’ve been to Inuvik several times lately, most notably for the signing of the final Devolution Agreement last June. I was also here last January with the Prime Minister to mark the beginning of construction for the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. It’s nice to see that you still want to hear me speak.

Thank you, I am pleased to join with members of the Inuvik Legion in marking the National Day of Honour recognizing Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan.

Veterans know something that civilians often forget – freedom and democracy have to be defended, sometimes at great personal cost to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families.

April 11, 2014 – I was saddened to hear of Francois Thibault’s passing. He was a highly-acclaimed northern artist and craftsman, whose unique designs, sculptures and creations have been commissioned for royalty and many clients over the years. His art helped generate interest in the Northwest Territories and he was also an advocate for northern artists.

On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I offer condolences to his family and friends.

April 10, 2014 – I was very sorry to hear of the death of Jim Flaherty, my longtime federal counterpart. He was a good man who worked hard for Canada and managed us through some very difficult times. He supported the aspirations of the NWT and supported us in getting the tools we needed to better run the NWT and gain control over our own future. I heard the news with a very heavy heart.

April 10, 2014 – Thank you, I’m pleased to be here this evening. Before I begin, I’d like to recognize the new board and congratulate them on their election earlier today. Your members have chosen an excellent group of leaders to help promote and encourage business across the North.

I won’t speak too long tonight. I am looking forward to the one-on-one conversation with John Curran shortly. I think it is an interesting format that will give us the chance to explore many of the issues you want to hear about.

YELLOWKNIFE (March 26, 2014) – Premier Bob McLeod responds to hearing of the landslide in Oso, Washington State in the Pacific Northwest, “We were saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life due to the devastating landslide in Oso, Snohomish County in Washington State.”

Mr. Speaker, this is an exciting time for the Northwest Territories. We are about to take a significant step in our economic and political development by acquiring new legislative authorities and jurisdiction over our lands and resources. The successful implementation of devolution is not simply a matter of transferring authority from one government to another.

Mr. Speaker, to achieve the vision and goals of the 17^th Legislative Assembly, the Government of the Northwest Territories, we have and require employees who see challenges as opportunities, employees who value lifelong learning and employees who are engaged in becoming strong, capable leaders. To support employee learning, I am pleased to advise the Department of Human Resources has three new learning and development initiatives planned for 2014-15.