Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, we are continuing with our mandate commitment to implement the Education Renewal and Innovation Framework and Action Plan. I am pleased to report that the education system is improving to meet the needs of the students, educators and families of the Northwest Territories. We are at the mid-point of our 10-year strategy, and we are seeing numerous successes and further opportunities for action.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to the follow-up audit on Child and Family Services that was tabled in the House yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, our top priority is to ensure the safety and security of children and youth receiving services and care from Child and Family Services. 

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Family Violence Awareness Week.  This week is recognized across the country, and takes place from October 21 to 27, 2018.

Statistics Canada reports that, in 2016, family violence accounted for one-quarter of all violent crimes.  These are criminal acts perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of society: youth, seniors, women and girls.  In 2016, two thirds of all victims of family violence were women and girls.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, this government has committed to working in partnership with other governments to address affordable housing requirements in support of their service delivery to Northwest Territories residents. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has made progress in meeting this mandate commitment in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

Good morning.  My name is Bob McLeod and I am the Premier of the Northwest Territories. It is great to be back at this forum for the second time. I am pleased to be able to offer some remarks before you dive into the complicated topic of how best to support and fund infrastructure in the North.

Good morning. My name is Bob McLeod and I am the Premier of the Northwest Territories.

It is great to be here today and to see some familiar faces for what I hope will be an engaging discussion.

As Premier of the Northwest Territories, I have a responsibility to ensure that our government is making decisions that support our vision of creating a prosperous sustainable future for all of our residents. I firmly believe that to achieve that vision we need to draw on the things that have historically made us successful and take those strengths to the next level.

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Mr. Speaker, with over 90 percent of the NWT’s business defined as small businesses, this sector is essential to economic health in our communities and a primary driver of economic diversification across our territory.  Support from our government is more important than ever before.

This is Small Business Week in Canada. It offers us an opportunity to celebrate the successes of small businesses in the NWT and our support for the people whose life’s work is the backbone of our NWT economy.

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Mr. Speaker, one of the key priority areas in our government’s mandate was to address the needs of individuals affected by mental health and addictions.  That is why we released Mind and Spirit: Promoting Mental Health and Addictions Recovery in the Northwest Territories, which is our strategic framework that helps guide our work in this area.

I’d like to provide an update on some important initiatives we are taking to enhance and improve services in the mental health and addictions area.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Marine Transportation Services delivers essential goods by tug and barge to all marine-accessible communities in the NWT. Residents rely on the service to receive such items as fuel, food, and household goods, while commercial customers also require fuel, mobile equipment, and building supplies to support their businesses and provide economic growth for the territory.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, protecting children from abuse and neglect, and providing services aimed at keeping families healthy, safe and intact, are fundamental priorities for this government.  This is a priority for me personally as well. Since joining the Legislative Assembly in 2007 as both a regular MLA and Minister, I have worked to ensure our child and family services system is built around the philosophy that the best supports for children are strong and resilient families.