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.

February 7, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, although we have a small population, the Northwest Territories is a large and diverse territory.  We live in 33 communities spread over several regions. We share the territory with seven regional Aboriginal governments. We all have our own mandates, priorities and interests unique to each of our groups. Sometimes our individual priorities align with each other and sometimes it is more difficult to find consensus on specific issues.

Opening remarks of Deputy Minister Peter Vician (Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment) (check against delivery):

December 15, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, as 2011 -- the Year of Road Safety -- comes to a close, I would like to highlight our continuing success in improving road safety in the Northwest Territories.  We have made improvements in our laws and regulations that should help reduce distracted driving, a key factor in preventable vehicle collisions.

December 15, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, in setting the priorities for this new government, we have placed an emphasis on education and prevention, and on mental health and addictions.  I am pleased to report that we are already moving forward with a new campaign in this area.

December 15, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, I wish to update Members about a new office within the Department of Justice; the Office of the Children’s Lawyer.

Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Canada ratified in 1991, children have a right to be heard in proceedings affecting them. Canada has a legal obligation to ensure the provisions of the Convention are met, yet very few jurisdictions in Canada have a system to offer independent counsel to children in legal proceedings affecting them to ensure their voices are heard.

December 15, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, Members of this Assembly set out a vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.

December 14, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, for many years, we had a problem filling entry-level vacancies for Corrections Officers with Northern people who had the basic skills that would qualify them to be hired.

In 2009, the Corrections Service looked at the problem and developed a six-week training program to ensure we have a representative, Northern workforce in our corrections facilities.  The end result is the Corrections Northern Recruit Training Program.

December 14, 2011 - Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment supports community-based teacher education programming, which provides increased access to students across the Northwest Territories. Graduates of these programs will increase the number of Aboriginal educators in our school system.