(October 29. 2013) - Good morning. I’d like to start by acknowledging the Van Horne Institute for their work in organizing this year’s Northern Transportation Conference.
(October 29, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is committed to a goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty. Improving the health status of the Aboriginal population in the Northwest Territories is one way the Department of Health and Social Services is accomplishing that goal.
(October 29, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, one of the goals this Assembly set out to achieve almost two years ago is a healthy, educated people, free from poverty. To move towards this goal, the Premier committed to the development of an Anti-Poverty Strategy.
(October 29, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, shortly after taking office – as we considered the economic opportunities, realities and challenges that lay ahead for our Territory – the 17th Assembly highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy to guide our economy though this time of unprecedented political and economic change. Today I am pleased to inform Members that the Governance Committee has completed an Economic Opportunities Strategy for the NWT, which I will be tabling later today.
(October 28, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories strengthens awareness of our Northern identity and uniqueness by promoting our many cultural backgrounds and revitalizing our languages. I am very pleased to advise this House that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment held the third annual Minister’s Culture and Heritage Circle to celebrate the tremendous contributions that people across this territory have made.
(October 28, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is committed to investing in prevention to keep our health system sustainable. Vaccines are a cornerstone of preventative medicine and I would like to encourage all Northwest Territories residents to get their free flu shots this fall.
(October 28, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the GNWT is recognised as one of Canada's Top Diversity employers in 2013 for the initiatives we've undertaken to enhance opportunities for Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The GNWT is committed to developing and maintaining a public service representative of the people we serve across the NWT.
(October 24, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, holding both the transportation and economic development portfolios, I very much appreciate the strong contribution that transportation makes to a strong and prosperous Northwest Territories. Transportation has always been at the forefront of enabling Northerners to grow and develop our economy. Never has the role that transportation plays been more important to guaranteeing our future growth and prosperity than it is today.
(October 24, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, community safety is a critical priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories. We need to look out for each other and make our neighbourhoods places with a strong sense of well-being. Everyone needs to feel safe and be safe.
(October 23, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, responsible oil and gas development has the potential to grow and diversify the Northwest Territories economy, and help create a sustainable, prosperous territory. Nowhere has this reality been more apparent than in the Sahtu Region. There is a lot to learn when it comes to ensuring our residents are prepared for rapid development, and that any development continues to minimize environmental and social impacts.
