Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is following through on its mandate commitment to strengthen connections with public and private sector partners in transportation infrastructure.
Given our vast geography and harsh climate, Northwest Territories communities and businesses rely on the aviation industry for the safe and reliable delivery of people, goods, and services.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, chaperones and most importantly all the volunteers who are making their way to Hay River for the annual Northwest Territories Track and Field Championships.
At 1:00pm today events will commence making this the 29th Anniversary of one of the Northwest Territories premier sporting events. I, along with some of my colleague from the House will be in attendance for the opening ceremonies tonight.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the House and Northwest Territories residents on the implementation of the NWT Carbon Tax.
The Government of the Northwest Territories committed in our mandate to advance a number of renewable and alternative energy solutions to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and lower the cost of living. One of those commitments included implementing a new NWT Energy Strategy which we achieved in April 2018 when we tabled the 2030 Energy Strategy: A Path to More Affordable, Secure and Sustainable Energy in the Northwest Territories. This strategy defines our long-term vision and approach for transitioning to a lower carbon economy.
Mr. Speaker, one of this government’s top priorities is the safety and well-being of children and youth receiving Child and Family Services. This includes making sure we maintain a child’s connectedness to family, community and culture.
We have learned from our experiences, through internal and external audits, through engagement with Indigenous governments, and through feedback from stakeholders that we need to better manage, resource, structure and sustain changes implemented under the Building Stronger Families Action Plan.
Mr. Speaker, thirty-five years ago today, the Committee for Original People’s Entitlement, or COPE, signed the Inuvialuit Final Agreement with the Government of Canada on behalf of the Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic. The Inuvialuit Final Agreement was the first comprehensive land claim agreement north of the 60th parallel and only the second of its kind in Canada. In many ways, this agreement led the way for the future negotiation of land, resources and self-government agreements in this territory and, perhaps, in Canada.
The Minister of Health and Social Services wishes to announce that the Government of Northwest Territories will now cover Mifegymiso for NWT residents with a valid NWT Health Care Card who do not have full coverage for prescriptions under another program or group insurance plan.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a mandate commitment to develop a northern manufacturing strategy in collaboration with industry and the NWT’s Manufacturers Association.
I am pleased today to table the Northwest Territories Manufacturing Strategy for diversifying our economy. The Strategy was developed with extensive input from the public, Chambers of Commerce, businesses and, most importantly, the NWT Manufacturers Association.
Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to improving access to emergency services and enhancing community wellness and safety through the rollout of the 9-1-1 service in all 33 communities.
The three-digit telephone number “9-1-1” is known as the number to call in emergencies throughout North America. The 9-1-1 service gives the public fast and easy access to our communities’ emergency services in situations when someone’s health, safety or property is in jeopardy or when a crime is in progress.
Mr. Speaker, many northerners continue to be held back by mental health and addictions which is why the 18th Legislative Assembly made it a priority to focus on mental wellness and addictions recovery. Today I would like to update Members on a significant milestone that we have achieved towards making sure that NWT resident who need mental wellness and addictions services can get the help they need locally and through culturally-appropriate methods.
