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Mr. Speaker, making health care accessible to every NWT resident is a core mandate priority of this government. People across the NWT access our medical travel program, whether they are travelling to access health services in a regional centre, in the capital, or in the south. This means that a reliable medical travel program is vital to NWT residents and to achieving this mandate priority.
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Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a complex issue that affects all of our communities. The rising cost of living, addictions, and climate emergencies have disproportionately affected our most vulnerable residents. The GNWT is committed to finding solutions that will provide more homes for Northerners.
The GNWT continues to focus on a whole-of-government approach to address homelessness, following the development of A Way Home: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories.
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Mr. Speaker, the 20th Legislative Assembly is nearing its midpoint a natural time to reflect, recalibrate, and refocus.
Over the past year and a half, we have worked hard to build the foundation for what lies ahead. We have established strong working relationships across the House, set shared priorities, and begun the important and essential work of implementing the commitments in our mandate. These early steps were about alignment ensuring that the work of government reflects the realities, needs, and aspirations of Northerners.
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Mr. Speaker, we have great rocks. The global demand for critical minerals continues to grow, and the Northwest Territories is well-positioned to play a key role supplying these essential resources to Canada and its allies. With over 2/3 of the critical minerals listed by Canada and almost half identified by the United States, our territory is a significant contributor to securing a stable and responsible supply of materials vital to clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies.
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Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to making long-term care accessible for seniors and Elders whose needs can no longer be met at home. We recognize the importance of helping residents remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. However, when home and community care services are no longer enough, long-term care plays an important role in providing the necessary support.
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Mr. Speaker, I am proud of Housing NWT’s successful partnerships. Housing NWT works with Indigenous governments, the federal government, non-governmental organizations, municipal and community governments, and industry to support more homes for Northerners across the NWT. Today, I want to highlight Housing NWT’s relationship with an important, but often overlooked group of frontline workers who deserve recognition: the dedicated staff of our Local Housing Organizations.
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Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to address a topic that is fundamental to the well-being of all workers across the Northwest Territories; the critical importance of improving workplace safety. Ensuring that our workplaces are safe is essential for the health, productivity, and prosperity of our communities.
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Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to announce the establishment of the Bobbi Hamilton Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Achievement. The Department of Justice is establishing this award to recognize individuals who demonstrate the principles that Bobbi embraced in her daily life.
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Monsieur le President, today I rise to celebrate the vibrant Francophone community of the Northwest Territories during the 27th Annual Rendez-vous de la Francophonie. This month-long celebration throughout March highlights the rich linguistic and cultural contributions of Francophones across Canada, including right here in the North.
