February 13, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the people of the Northwest Territories have a stake in the on-going development of the oil sands. Protecting our land and water from potential downstream impacts of development in Alberta is critical.

The Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring is a solid first step in addressing the concerns raised by Aboriginal peoples, scientists and concerned residents, both upstream and downstream, of impacts of the oil sands development on our waters.

February 10, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, mining forms a major piece of the economic foundation of the Northwest Territories. Before mining can take place, we rely on the work of prospectors and exploration companies to identify potential mineral development opportunities. Today I am pleased to announce dedicated annual funding of $50,000 for the Prospectors Grubstake Program. This funding will be made available under Industry, Tourism and Investments Support to Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Policy.

February 10, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, on April 22, 1992, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Government of Canada signed the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. This coming April will mark the 20th anniversary of that historic day.

February 10, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, for the past number of years the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition has been working on Betty House, which is an initiative to build and operate a transitional house for women and children that are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.  Betty House will help these women and children to stabilize, to move forward, and to make positive life choices.

February 9, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, this government promotes the importance of trained and certified skilled journeypersons.  We encourage our youth to consider skilled trades as a great career choice, and we celebrate the success of our apprentices and journeypersons. 

February 9, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the sacrifices of the barren-ground caribou harvesters during the past several years have not been in vain. 

Recent surveys indicate the Porcupine herd has increased from an estimated 123,000 animals in 2001 to 169,000 in 2010.  The population estimate of the Bluenose-East herd has increased from 65,100 animals in 2006 to 98,600 animals in 2010.

Recent surveys point towards a stabilization of the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West herds - though overall numbers remain very low.

February 9, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, later this Session I will be presenting Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Borrowing Authorization Act. The purpose of this Act is to increase the short-term authority to borrow provided in section 1(2) of the Act from $175 million to $275 million.

February 8, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, when our new government first met last October, we agreed on a vision for the Northwest Territories. Our vision is of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.  Developing an anti-poverty strategy is part of achieving this vision. It is linked with all of our goals and will ultimately form part of the basis for our government’s coordinated approach to social issues.

February 8, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, now, more than ever, Northerners are realizing the importance of literacy. January 27 was family literacy day.  Celebrating Family Literacy Day helps recognize the important role that families play in literacy development.

The Northwest Territories has vast economic potential, and Northerners want to be able to access the jobs being created. We know that to take advantage of the opportunities we must have a skilled, educated and literate workforce.

February 8, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to establishing a Public Service that is inclusive of all people and that accurately represents the population it serves. Today I would like to provide Members with an update on initiatives launched under 20/20: A Brilliant North, The Public Service Strategic Plan, that focus on diversity in the Public Service.