Check against delivery.

Mr. Speaker, we gather today at a significant moment for our territory and for our country. It is a moment of change and uncertainty, but for the Northwest Territories, it is also a moment of opportunity.

The world is rapidly changing before our eyes. We can no longer count on the traditional international rules, norms, and alliances that helped Canada prosper over the past 80 years. We are witnessing unprecedented efforts at economic coercion and foreign interference in our political systems, a blurring of lines between allies and enemies, and internal threats to our national unity on multiple fronts. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence are poised to reshape sectors of the economy in ways that are yet to be seen.

Understandably, the change and uncertainty in the world can leave people feeling anxious or scared. However, Mr. Speaker, when I look around the territory at our infrastructure deficit, the lack of economic opportunities in many communities, the high cost of living, availability of housing, access to health care, and public safety concerns, I am less concerned about change and more concerned about continuing the status quo. There was a time, in the very recent past, when it felt like the North was an afterthought, if it was thought of at all. Today, the eyes of the world, and the attention of the federal government have shifted northward. The strategic importance of the Northwest Territories to national security, to critical mineral supply chains, to energy security, and to Canada’s very future as a strong and independent country has come into sharp focus over the past year.

Our mission now, is to ensure that we take full advantage of this moment for the benefit of the people of the NWT. We must transform the attention from the federal government and industry into economic opportunities, more homes, better access to basic healthcare, supports for healing, and safe, healthy, and thriving communities. In the same way that Canadians must remain united to face down external threats, Northerners must be united if we are to capitalize on these opportunities. We need to work together, make strategic and informed decisions about things we can control, and remove any self-imposed barriers to success. The contributions of each and every resident are important to advancing these goals.

Mr. Speaker, there is an urgency to this work, and we feel that urgency everyday. Economic changes across the territory, such as the decision by Imperial Oil to cease hydrocarbon production in Norman Wells and the instability in the diamond mining sector, mean that many residents not only feel the urgency, but are being impacted in very real ways. We must ensure that those residents whose livelihoods are negatively affected are supported and that there are new economic opportunities available to them. We believe in empowering Northerners to work, to contribute, and to create strong and vibrant communities.

Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to ensuring that the Northwest Territories plays its full role as a cornerstone of a secure, prosperous, and united country, and we can only do that if we have an economically stable and healthy territory. To do that, we are making pragmatic choices, grounded in principles and done in partnership. 

The work ahead is serious, but so is our confidence in the people of this territory and in the future of this country. Together, we will continue moving forward while grounded in our values, clear in our purpose, and focused on delivering real results for Northerners. At the same time, we will continue strengthening Canada’s presence and asserting sovereignty in the Arctic, now and for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, a strong economic foundation is essential to enhancing personal and community wellness and to promoting self-sufficiency.

Together with our partners, we are advancing major projects that will shape our economy for decades to come. Work is advancing quickly on the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor. These nation-building projects will strengthen Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, connect our communities to markets, and support the responsible development of critical minerals and energy resources, all while improving connectivity and lowering the cost of living and doing business in the North. We are also moving forward with the Taltson Hydro Expansion to improve long-term energy security and help power tomorrow’s economic opportunities.

We are also continuing to enhance our existing transportation infrastructure.  With support from the Government of Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund, construction is underway on the Dehk’è Frank Channel Bridge Replacement Project near Behchokǫ̀. This project will improve safety, remove restrictions on heavy loads, and strengthen a critical transportation link. This project supports economic growth, critical mineral development, the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and is creating opportunities for Indigenous employment and participation.

The NWT’s strategic location in the Arctic means that we are poised to see significant investments related to national defence. An advance procurement notice shows this investment could exceed ten billion dollars in the NWT over the coming years. That spending comes alongside the federal government’s stated commitments to reconciliation, creating opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities through contracting, employment, and training. This is a transformational opportunity for local economic business development, and one that we intend to maximize in partnership with federal and Indigenous government partners.

Looking beyond direct investments in military and dual-use infrastructure, we must remember that the NWT boasts a wealth of resources that can support global economic transition and further enhance our sovereignty and security at home. We are among the most resource-rich places in the world, with an abundance of precious metals, critical minerals, and oil and gas deposits to help fuel the green economy and secure domestic supply of strategic resources. These natural resource assets place the NWT at the forefront of Canada’s economic potential, and with strategic investment will create great opportunities for our residents and businesses, and for all Canadians.

Together, these efforts are building a stronger, more self-reliant territory, one with new opportunities for Northerners, who are ready to rise to this moment.

Mr. Speaker, a strong economy must translate into stability at home. Jobs, infrastructure, and growth only deliver real results if people have safe, suitable, and affordable places to live.

This government is taking action across the full housing continuum, from emergency shelter and transitional supports to long-term construction and repair, with a focus on community partnership and results.

In Inuvik, the Homeless Shelter has entered a new chapter of community leadership with the responsibility for shelter operations transitioning from Housing NWT to the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Advisory Board. This reflects a long-standing community goal to have homelessness services guided by local voices, while ensuring uninterrupted services for those who rely on them.

In Yellowknife, a new transitional housing facility opened in December, operated by the Yellowknife Women’s Society. With space for 24 individuals, it provides a safe, stable place to live while accessing the programming and support that will help bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing.

We are also accelerating housing supply through strong partnerships with Indigenous governments. Housing NWT has entered into construction agreements with Indigenous partners in Fort Smith and Fort Good Hope, and recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Housing with Acho Dene Koe First Nation in Fort Liard. This agreement sets out how we will plan, buy, and deliver housing together, so the homes we build reflect what the community actually needs.

Since the start of the 20th Legislative Assembly, 81 new housing unit replacements have been completed. Another 155 units are currently under construction, with an additional 64 in planning or procurement; bringing us to a total of 300 units, across the housing continuum, to be delivered during this Legislative Assembly.

Together, these actions reflect a clear commitment: more homes for Northerners, better housing where it already exists, and community-driven solutions that deliver dignity, stability, and opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, economic strength and housing stability mean little if people do not feel safe, or if communities are not prepared when emergencies strike. Keeping Northerners safe, supported, and informed is a core responsibility of this government.

Over the past five years, the Northwest Territories has faced some of the most challenging emergencies in our history; floods, wildfires, and repeated evacuations that tested our systems and our communities. We listened, we learned, and we acted.

In response to After-Action Reviews from 2022 and 2023, and to lessons learned in real time, we have strengthened our emergency management system. We are working with the Council of Leaders and community partners to review the Emergency Management Act. We have updated the NWT Emergency Plan to clearly define roles and responsibilities. We have enhanced training for community governments, invested in emergency communications, and improved how resources are pre-positioned so help arrives faster when it is needed most and so communities are more protected than ever before.

Safe communities are also built through strong planning. That is why we launched the NWT Community Planning Framework: Where We Live, Why We Plan. This framework gives community governments the tools they need to guide growth, protect the environment, and plan for the future, reflecting local priorities and Indigenous knowledge. It supports housing and infrastructure development while integrating climate change considerations to help communities build long-term resilience. In addition, we are supporting community and Indigenous governments with flood mapping to inform emergency preparedness and land-use planning.

We are also supporting practical, community-driven safety initiatives. Safe Growth pilot projects are underway in Hay River, Fort Providence, and Fort Smith, working with residents to apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles. We are also providing law enforcement and communities with more tools to combat crime by advancing multiple pieces of public safety legislation this term.

Whether through stronger emergency preparedness, thoughtful community planning, or more effective enforcement, this government is focused on ensuring safe communities for Northerners.

Mr. Speaker, healthcare is one of the few systems that touches every resident, no matter our age, income, or circumstances, and the quality of our healthcare experience comes down to three things: access, respect, and reliability.

Access challenges are felt most strongly in our smaller communities. We are strengthening the Community Health Nurse–led model used in small communities, while making it more flexible to respond to ongoing staffing pressures. That includes expanding the role of Licensed Practical Nurses and paramedics in community health centres, supported by Nurse Practitioners and expanded virtual care so that residents in small communities can access more essential services closer to home.

In larger centres, we are working to improve access to services for those who need them most. Service Integration Teams have been created in Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Simpson, Behchokǫ̀, and Yellowknife to identify and remove barriers to access and to improve coordination among service providers. For now, these teams are focusing on supporting residents who are experiencing, or who are at risk of, homelessness but the lessons we learn through this initiative will help move us closer to our ultimate goal of creating a culture of person-centred service delivery across government.

Mr. Speaker, the healthcare system must be grounded in trust, respect, and cultural safety. To ensure these values are reflected in the services we provide, we are working directly with Indigenous governments and communities through shared governance, co-design, and the integration of traditional healing and local wellness priorities, guided by frontline staff, Elders, and families.

When care is not available close to home, residents rely on medical travel. Dealing with medical issues can be stressful enough on its own; medical travel should not add to that stress. That is why we are modernizing the system to make it more consistent, efficient, and easier to navigate. We are streamlining processes, improving communication, setting clear service standards, and developing practical tools, including a Medical Travel Manual, to ensure residents experience a more reliable and less stressful journey for care. This work is a priority, and it is happening now.

These are a few of the ways we are working towards one of our core commitments of this government, improving access to basic healthcare to support healthy people and communities across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, Canada takes pride in being a Northern country and an Arctic nation. However, Arctic sovereignty is not something that can be declared, it has to be asserted through presence and investment.  It is built through the people who live, work, and stay in the North. It is built through resilient communities, reliable infrastructure, and public services that work in northern realities.

Mr. Speaker, Northerners will soon turn their attention to another powerful expression of Arctic presence and identity. Next month, Team NT will represent the Northwest Territories at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, the world’s largest circumpolar multi-sport and cultural gathering.

More than 600 Northerners from over 20 communities came together in January to earn the chance to represent the territory. Up to 355 athletes and cultural participants will compete in 18 sports, including Arctic Sports and Dene Games: traditions rooted in survival, skill, and connection to the land.

This is more than competition. It is continuity. It is culture. It is the next generation carrying forward who we are; visible, capable, and present in the Arctic.

Mr. Speaker, sovereignty is built by people who belong to the land and are supported to stay on it. It is built by communities that are healthy, safe, and connected. It is built when governments choose to invest in the North. That investment is coming, and we must capitalize on it for the benefit of all Northerners; for those who are here today, and those who will lead us into the future.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.