December 7, 2012

Good morning. First of all, I would like to thank the organizers of the Arctic Technology Conference for inviting me here, and a special thank you to the Canadian Consulate for giving me the opportunity to speak with you here this morning.

This is my second visit to Houston this year. I always enjoy meeting with my colleagues in the oil and gas industry to speak about a subject that is very important to me and our government: the prospects for development of the immense resource potential of the Northwest Territories.

December 5, 2012

November 28, 2012

I would like to thank President Chris Buist of the Norman Wells Chamber of Commerce for inviting me to attend the Sahtu Shale Oil Industry update. It is always a pleasure to be in the Sahtu Region. 

Thank you for the invitation to join you again – and for this opportunity to say a few words.  It is always a pleasure for me to address the various Chamber of Commerce organizations across the NWT and today is no exception.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you Chief Sangris for your welcome and opening remarks.  On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to welcome everyone here this evening.  Your input is vital to our success and I want to thank those of you who have travelled from across the Northwest Territories and beyond, to discuss the energy opportunities and challenges facing our territory today.

Thank you everyone for coming this evening and taking some time to have a discussion prior to the Charrette.  I am pleased to be joined by Minister Ramsay and Minister Miltenberger who both sit with me as members of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating and Climate Change Committee-of-Cabinet.

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to address you here today.

As many of you are aware.  I began my career as a parks officer for the GNWT.  It was something I really enjoyed - and to this day - the tourism sector is one that I hold a great interest in – and passion for. For the past year, some of the most satisfying and enjoyable elements of my work as a Minister have been the opportunities I have had to promote and represent our spectacular Territory to people in other parts of Canada and the US.

Mr. Speaker, healthy behaviours and healthy choices are fundamental to a good education and superior quality of life.  Schools offer a significant opportunity to educate young people about healthy lifestyles and to foster healthy behaviours. In the Northwest Territories, schools play a strong central role in health promotion. While we develop the programs that foster these healthy behaviours, we must first understand what our young people think about their health, their challenges, and their choices.