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Mr. Speaker, volunteerism plays an important role in contributing to healthy, safe and vibrant communities in the NWT. Community volunteers are essential to community health and well-being and we recognize their role in contributing to a strong and resilient territory.

To acknowledge the vital contributions of our volunteers the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards program was developed in 1991. The awards provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding volunteers in the NWT and highlight the importance of volunteerism to NWT residents. 

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today in advance of International Women’s Day. In 1975, the United Nations designated March 8th as an opportunity for unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action about the place and role of women across the social, economic, cultural, and political fabric of the world. While it is a day for celebration, on reflection, we must raise awareness of the work that is left to be done towards gender equality.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is Choose to Challenge.

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my commitment as Minister of Health and Social Services, as a Member of this Legislative Assembly, and as a resident of the Northwest Territories, to address racism in all its forms in the NWT health and social services system.

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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace for all its employees. This includes educating our public servants on how racism can manifest itself in the workplace.

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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a moral and ethical obligation to root out racism in our institutions. This obligation extends beyond the overt, visible, and obvious acts of hate and violence that we can easily see and condemn. It includes the subtle, hidden, systemic racism that persists in legislation, policies, and practices.

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Mr.  Speaker, the safety of our residents is a priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories.  Through the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Emergency Management Organization, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, or MACA, supports communities in building local capacity in response to emergencies.

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Mr. Speaker, professional engineers and geoscientists play an essential role in the growth and development of the Northwest Territories.  They help address our society’s needs and solve our problems. Their work is evident all around us – in our buildings, highways and airports; in our safe drinking water; in our power and communications; and in our mapping and resource development in the North, to name a few.

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Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that as we focus this sitting on the government’s budget, including how GNWT spending impacts the NWT economy and the role it can play in our economic recovery efforts, we are also beginning a territory-wide conversation about our government’s procurement practices and policies. Procurement is a significant tool that can positively increase the benefits of government spending on the private sector and, as a result, on the economy as a whole.

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Mr. Speaker, the NWT Association of Communities, or NWTAC, represents all 33 of the NWT’s incorporated communities. The NWTAC promotes the exchange of information among community governments, working together to reach collective goals for our communities across the NWT. Together they are an effective and passionate voice for community governments.

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Mr. Speaker, the NWT Association of Communities, or NWTAC, represents all 33 of the NWT’s incorporated communities. The NWTAC promotes the exchange of information among community governments, working together to reach collective goals for our communities across the NWT. Together they are an effective and passionate voice for community governments.