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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.

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Mr. Speaker, Substance use, and addiction continue to have a big impact on people across the Northwest Territories. Addiction is closely tied to our shared history of colonization, the legacy of residential schools, and the trauma and mental health challenges that have followed. The Government of the Northwest Territories understands these deep-rooted connections and is committed to supporting Northerners on their path to recovery.

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Mr. Speaker, today I want to describe how key infrastructure projects are helping support our government’s commitment to building strong relationships with Indigenous governments.