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 initiatives outlined in the budget that are specific to the NWT demonstrate that the Government of Canada understands our priorities are centered on closing the infrastructure gap.  These kinds of investments  in energy and transportation are a good start to putting the territory in a position where residents can begin to experience lower energy costs, and in turn a lower cost of living.  They will also lead to more and better paying jobs throughout the territory.  Connecting people and the opportunities this creates will assist in achieving the quality of life, that the majority of Canadians take for granted.

“It’s no secret that the Taltson Hydroelectricity Project is an important one for the Government of the Northwest Territories. I am particularly pleased to see $18 million allocated in the budget to support planning for what I believe will be a game changer for energy in the NWT. But, that is not the only highlight in the budget which will benefit the people of the NWT and our sister territories more broadly. There are a number of initiatives that will have a significant impact on our economy and residents of the North such as the $400 million commitment in the Arctic Energy fund.  I encourage residents to take some time to review the highlight document we’ve prepared.

“Finally, I would like to make a special mention to the role that Minister LeBlanc has played in getting us to this point. Since taking over as Minister of Northern Affairs, he has made it a priority to better understand and support the Northwest Territories and he has done a tremendous job advocating on our behalf in Ottawa. There is still work to be done and this budget does not address all of our needs, but it does get us one step closer to achieving our goals.

“We look forward to continuing our relationships with the federal government, territorial Indigenous Governments and other partners to advance northern self-determination and create a healthy, prosperous territory for generations to come.”

Charlotte Digness
Media and Communications Coordinator
Government of the Northwest Territories
Ph: 867-767-9140 ext. 11082
Email: charlotte_digness@gov.nt.ca