Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, as we begin this sitting of the 20th Legislative Assembly, we are entering a period of opportunity unlike anything we have ever seen in the territory. The rest of Canada and countries around the world are looking North for secure supply chains, critical minerals, Arctic research, strategic infrastructure, and reliable partnerships. Increasingly, they are looking to the Northwest Territories.
Our responsibility as a government is to ensure those opportunities create lasting benefits for Northerners. That means stronger communities, better infrastructure, good jobs, and new opportunities for the next generation to build their futures here.
The work ahead requires cooperation across the territory. No government can build the future alone. Success depends on close and continued collaboration with Indigenous governments, community leaders, businesses, non-governmental organizations, federal partners, and residents.
That spirit of working together has long been one of the Northwest Territories’ greatest strengths. Across the Northwest Territories, residents continue to show determination, resilience, and a deep commitment to one another. Communities are stepping up for each other. Indigenous governments, municipalities, businesses, and residents are working together to solve problems, and create opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, this government has spoken often about the importance of major infrastructure projects to the future of our territory. Today, we are seeing real progress.
In March, the federal government referred the Mackenzie Valley Highway, the Taltson Hydro Expansion, and the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor to the Major Projects Office. That decision marked an important milestone for the Northwest Territories, and reflected years of advocacy and partnership-building.
These three projects will connect communities, enable economic growth, and create long-term opportunities for Northerners. Improved transportation corridors, energy infrastructure, airports, and supply chains will strengthen the territory’s economy while helping lower the cost of living and the cost of doing business in the North.
These projects will also create opportunities for skilled tradespeople, Indigenous businesses, heavy equipment operators, environmental monitors, engineers, and young Northerners preparing to enter the workforce.
This progress did not happen overnight. Indigenous governments, community leaders, Members of this House, industry partners, and the federal government all played a role in bringing us to this point. Their efforts deserve recognition and thanks.
This government is now working closely with the Major Projects Office and federal departments to improve coordination and communication, and to identify opportunities that will streamline regulatory processes while maintaining strong environmental oversight, and meaningful engagement.
At the same time, we are positioning the Northwest Territories within Canada’s growing focus on Arctic sovereignty and national defence.
The GNWT is working proactively with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure territorial priorities are reflected early in planning processes. Defence investments in the North must create lasting benefits for Northerners through jobs, support for local and Indigenous businesses, and infrastructure that strengthens communities long after deployments or exercises conclude.
This work reinforces Canada’s presence in the Arctic while helping to build a stronger and more connected North.
Mr. Speaker, the momentum is real, but success is not guaranteed. We have a lot of work before us, and we are doing everything we can to get ready and meet the moment. Major projects require continued collaboration, thoughtful planning, and long-term commitment. Strong partnerships with Indigenous governments, communities, regulators, industry, and the federal government will remain essential as this work moves forward.
Mr. Speaker, even more than large-scale projects, residents want to see progress in their home communities and daily lives.
The suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing is one of the priorities of the 20th Legislative Assembly, and housing remains one of the clearest examples of this government delivering visible, on-the-ground results.
Since the start of the 20th Legislative Assembly, Housing NWT has completed 96 new social housing units across the territory. Another 180 units are currently under construction, and 84 more are in planning and procurement. In total, 360 housing units are planned in 24 communities during the life of this Legislative Assembly.
Much of this work focuses on replacing housing units that have reached the end of their service life, meaning they are too expensive to maintain, and may be uninhabitable. Targeted investments in repairs and maintenance are also helping protect existing housing stock, and extending the life of homes.
Nearly all new Housing NWT capital projects are being delivered through modular construction. Many of these homes are prefabricated within the Northwest Territories before being assembled in communities. This approach improves efficiency, reduces construction risks in remote locations, and supports the delivery of durable and energy-efficient homes designed for Northern conditions.
The progress being made would not be possible without partnerships. These projects are being delivered alongside Indigenous governments, local housing organizations, community governments, contractors, and federal partners. Housing NWT continues to expand agreements with Indigenous governments across the territory because local involvement is essential to long-term success.
These projects are making a real difference for residents. They are helping families access safe and stable housing while reducing pressure on aging infrastructure, and are improving living conditions in small communities.
Mr. Speaker, keeping communities safe remains one of the core responsibilities of this government. As the territory enters wildfire and flood season, preparedness remains top of mind for many Northerners.
Over the past year, the GNWT has worked with communities and Indigenous governments to strengthen emergency readiness across the territory. Community wildfire protection plans have been updated. Critical infrastructure assessments have been completed. Thermal scanning has been used to identify winter holdover fires. Emergency planning, and coordination efforts have continued to improve.
The GNWT has modernized its wildfire program through improved training, updated modelling tools, increased FireSmart investments with $1.8 million per year committed to the program until the end of the 2027-2028 fiscal year, and the creation of a new Wildland Urban Interface program that strengthens coordination between community fire departments, and wildland firefighters.
Emergency Preparedness Week, which took place earlier this month, also serves as an important reminder that preparedness is a shared responsibility. Governments have a critical role, but residents also play an important part by creating emergency plans, preparing emergency kits, and staying informed during emergencies. I want to thank the firefighters, emergency management staff, Indigenous governments, municipalities, volunteers, and community leaders who continue to work tirelessly to protect Northerners.
This government is also continuing work to strengthen public safety legislation by prioritizing new laws, including the new Trespass to Property Act, and the proposed Civil Forfeiture Act and Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, to protect property and improve community safety.
Mr. Speaker, supporting the well-being of residents means helping people build healthy, stable, and hopeful lives. This government continues to invest in children, families, workers, and communities across the Northwest Territories.
Earlier this year, the GNWT and the Government of Canada announced the creation of 355 new childcare spaces across the territory, exceeding our original commitment of 300 spaces. These new spaces will support working families, create jobs, and help ensure children have access to safe and licensed care closer to home.
This government is also strengthening Inclusive Schooling across the Northwest Territories. In April, the GNWT announced an additional $30 million in stable funding to support inclusive education in the 2026-2027 budget. This investment will help stabilize services, and ensure students receive the supports they need to succeed.
Economic uncertainty continues to affect some sectors and workers, particularly within the diamond mining industry. In response, Canada and the GNWT jointly launched the Workforce Tariff Response Initiative. This investment will help residents affected by tariffs and global market changes access training, employment supports, and financial assistance as they retrain, upskill, and transition into new opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, partnerships remain essential to everything this government hopes to achieve. The Northwest Territories has always been strongest when people work together, and that spirit of collaboration is clearly visible across the territory today. It can be seen in housing partnerships with Indigenous governments; in wildfire preparedness and emergency management efforts; and in major infrastructure planning, and economic development initiatives.
It can also be seen in the work underway to support community programming in former Community Learning Centres. Engagement with communities and Indigenous governments has already led to five subsidized lease agreements that will help ensure these facilities continue serving local residents.
This government remains committed to meaningful engagement and shared decision-making because local involvement leads to stronger outcomes for communities.
The future of the Northwest Territories cannot be built by government alone. Residents also play a role through volunteering, championing local initiatives, mentoring, building businesses, and continuing to invest their energy, and optimism in the North. To the thousands of residents who show up for the territory every single day, thank you for everything you do to help make the Northwest Territories what it is.
Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the future of the Northwest Territories, we are ultimately talking about the next generation. We are talking about young people growing up in communities across this territory today, who deserve access to quality education, safe housing, strong infrastructure, meaningful employment, and opportunities to succeed without having to leave the North behind.
This government is working to help build that future. We are investing in infrastructure that connects communities and supports economic growth. We are strengthening housing, education, childcare, and workforce development. We are ensuring the Northwest Territories plays an increasingly important role in Canada’s Arctic future.
The work ahead will not always be easy, challenges will continue to arise, but the Northwest Territories has never been defined by the obstacles in front of us.
This territory is defined by the people who continue to meet those challenges with determination, creativity, and a willingness to work together.
Today, there is real reason to feel hopeful about where the Northwest Territories is headed. Opportunities are growing. Partnerships are strong. Momentum is building.
Together, we are building a brighter future for the Northwest Territories, and for the generations that will follow.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.