Good afternoon,

It is great to be here in Seattle for Arctic Encounters 2019.

As a leader from an Arctic region, and as an Indigenous person, I have made it my life’s work to encourage the right kinds of development, collaboration and opportunity for the people of the North. For us in the Northwest Territories, responsible resource development remains one of most meaningful paths to promote opportunity and self-sufficiency for our residents.

The Arctic is the future, and how that future is built and managed be led by and meet the needs of Northerners.

Minister Schumann delivered the following keynote speech via video-conference at an event hosted by Carleton University:

Check against delivery

Good morning everyone.

I’m pleased to be able to speak to you this morning from Yellowknife, on this important policy symposium on the future of Canada’s north. 

Thank you to Carleton University’s School of Public Policy for helping bring attention to the issues that are so critical for the people who live in northern Canada. 

In fact, these are issues that should matter to all Canadians.  

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about foster care and the important role that the Foster Family Coalition of the Northwest Territories has played, and will continue to play, in partnering with Child and Family Services to improve recruitment, training and support for foster families.

Foster families perform a vital service to children that must be placed in care. I want to recognize and thank all foster families from across this territory for the valuable support they provide to our children and youth.

Check against delivery

Good morning,

I see a lot of familiar faces in the room this morning. In fact I’ll bet many of you have heard me speak before about the importance of oil and gas development in the North.

I remain committed to the future of this country and of the Northwest Territories, but as I come to the end of my second term as Premier of the Northwest Territories I have to say, my patience is wearing thin.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has been working hard to fulfill its mandate commitment to secure funding to advance planning and construction of priority transportation corridors in the Northwest Territories. This includes upgrading the winter road portions of the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road to an all-weather highway, and planning for the Slave Geological Province Corridor. Today, I am pleased to provide an update on the status of these strategic infrastructure projects.

Mr. Speaker, there have been many positive initiatives developed as we have worked to fulfill mandate commitments related to housing.  Good quality and affordable housing in our communities cannot be brought about just from the efforts of government.  We need to engage all parties that have the capability and the willingness to improve housing conditions for our residents. 

Mr. Speaker, Income Security programs are a vital piece of the societal safety network that together help address the needs of NWT residents.    

Those who access programs within this complex network are often at a point of vulnerability in their lives. It is good government practice to continually review and evaluate programs, especially social ones, to ensure that those in need are being provided appropriate supports and services.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of global Open Government Week, I would like to take this opportunity to update this House on our Government’s progress in advancing our mandate commitments for increasing government transparency and accountability.

One year ago, Mr. Speaker, I stood on this floor and announced the release of our government’s Open Government Policy.  The Policy represented an important step toward fulfilling our government’s pledge to greater openness and transparency.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide Members with an update on the draft Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan. The Quality Improvement Plan sets out actions that we are taking right now to address issues identified as part of internal reviews, the 2018 Auditor General’s Report, and from staff feedback.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge International Women’s Day.  International Women’s Day is held annually on March 8^th to celebrate women’s social, cultural and political achievements throughout history and across nations.  International Women’s Day also provides an important opportunity to showcase commitments towards women’s equality, to raise awareness and to highlight initiatives towards gender parity.