Premier Bob McLeod issued the following statement today about the 2019-20 federal budget that was released this week:
“My reaction to the federal budget released yesterday is one of optimism. As Premier of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to see the Government of Canada invest in the middle class, but also make good on its commitment to support the Northwest Territories and support our government in advancing some of our priorities.
The Government of the Northwest Territories advises that a new vehicle pull-out has opened adjacent to the Detah ice road.
The new pull-out is located approximately half way along the 6.3 kilometre ice road between Yellowknife and Detah.
Residents and tourists will benefit from the pull-out by having the option of safely stopping to enjoy winter activities, such as aurora borealis viewing.
The attached map illustrates the layout of the pull-out, as well as the location of nearby signs.
The Government of Canada is protecting and conserving nature and wildlife, an important legacy for future generations. Together with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Conference of Management Authorities and Indigenous governments, organizations and communities, we are making progress toward the recovery and protection of boreal caribou.
Resource development remains the principal driver of the Northwest Territories economy. This is why the Government of Canada is investing $5.1M in two projects that will support resource development in the Slave Geological Province (SGP).
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Fortune Minerals signed a Socio-Economic Agreement (SEA) this morning at event that took place during AME Roundup in Vancouver.
The SEA will see Northwest Territories residents benefit from the construction and operation of the proposed NICO mine. It provides targets for local employment, local business spending, education and training. It also lays out the GNWT's commitment to provide a healthy, trained workforce from which Fortune Minerals can draw to reach those employment targets.
The opioid crisis continues to devastate individuals, families and communities across the country. Without increased access to effective, evidence-based treatment options, people will continue to be at risk for overdose.
The Honourable Caroline Cochrane, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), met with territorial education leaders on January 9, 2019 to continue discussion on improving the education system. Leaders from all regions of the Northwest Territories gathered to review progress to date and plan for future work.
The results from a geotechnical study contracted by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) on the École J.H. Sissons School site have been received. The study concluded that the original site, where the school currently stands, is the most viable and stable location for both current and future use. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), Caroline Cochrane, has accepted this recommendation. Both the recommendation and the decision have been conveyed to the board.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), in partnership with the Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) released details today on the $9.12 million in new funding for AEA over the next four years, as well as announced changes to funding for solar projects in hydropower communities across the NWT.
Both announcements are in response to the Arctic Energy Alliance Program and Service Review that was commissioned last year.
Population surveys carried out this summer by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the Bathurst and Bluenose-East caribou herds show caribou numbers continue to decline significantly.
Surveys done in June 2018 indicate the number of animals in the Bathurst herd has dropped from about 20,000 in 2015 to approximately 8,200 in 2018. At its peak in 1986, the size of the herd was estimated at more than 470,000 caribou. The Bluenose-East herd has also declined from approximately 39,000 animals in 2015 to roughly 19,300 caribou.
