(April 3, 2013) - (Check against delivery)

President Graham, colleagues, guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the invitation to join you this morning.

This is the first chance that I have had to speak outside of the Assembly since I stood alongside the Prime Minister and five of our Territory’s Aboriginal Leaders to announce that the heavy lifting is done and that we have reached consensus on the terms of a final devolution agreement.

(March 14, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to update the people of the Northwest Territories and our Protected Areas Strategy partners on the implementation of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy.

The Protected Areas Strategy was established in 1999 as an overall framework to guide the work of identifying and establishing protected areas in the Northwest Territories.  It was developed in partnership by regional Aboriginal organizations, the federal and territorial governments, environmental non-governmental organizations and industry.

(March 14, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, addressing housing needs is a priority of the 17^th Legislative Assembly and the NWT Housing Corporation offers a range of programs along the housing continuum to help residents meet their shelter needs. Public housing, supports to third party organizations that provide low-cost housing, rent supplements, homeownership repair programs, and subsidies to help low and modest income purchase homes all help residents depending on their needs.

(March 14, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I would like to update Members on the renovations recently completed by the Department of Public Works and Services at the Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River.

(March 13, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House today, to inform Members on the work the Northwest Territories Power Corporation is doing to provide a safe and reliable source of electricity at the lowest cost, while pursuing opportunities to increase the mix of clean, renewable energy sources.

(March 13, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, our Income Security programs provide support for those residents over the age of 19 and their families.  It covers basic food, shelter and clothing needs, childcare benefits, heating subsidies, income support, and student financial assistance.  It also provides supports for disabled residents.

(March 13, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to recognize that the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway Project reached another milestone earlier this week when the Prime Minister confirmed that Canada will contribute $200 million to the construction.

(March 12, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to update the people of the Northwest Territories on management actions for barren-ground caribou herds.

The new population estimates for the Beverly and Ahiak caribou herds, led by the Government of Nunavut, highlight the need for regular surveys and monitoring so we have a clear picture of herd status and can identify changes and deal with them in a timely manner.

(March 11, 2013) - Prime Minister, honourable ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Aboriginal government leaders, guests; this is a big day for the Northwest Territories.  It is a day of hopes, a day of dreams, and a day of transformation.

(March 11, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the Education Renewal and Innovation initiative is examining a wide range of issues facing education in the NWT, and developing a comprehensive plan to address these. The development of this plan and many aspects of the plan itself will involve participation of other GNWT departments.  I am happy to report that a wide range of GNWT departments have dedicated staff to participating in this process. The plan itself is scheduled to be completed by this late fall/winter.