A fire at the Mackenzie Place Apartments (also known as the Hay River High-Rise) on March 15, 2019, resulted in extensive damage to the 11th floor and below and displaced approximately 150 residents. Since the building’s evacuation, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has been working with the Town of Hay River to support the displaced tenants.
Minister Schumann delivered the following keynote speech via video-conference at an event hosted by Carleton University:
Check against delivery
Good morning everyone.
I’m pleased to be able to speak to you this morning from Yellowknife, on this important policy symposium on the future of Canada’s north.
Thank you to Carleton University’s School of Public Policy for helping bring attention to the issues that are so critical for the people who live in northern Canada.
In fact, these are issues that should matter to all Canadians.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has taken action to support its mineral exploration sector by extending a successful program for two years.
The Work Credit Program (WCP), originally introduced in 2015 to offset costs for mineral explorers since a downturn in the financial markets, will be extended for two years beginning April 1, 2019 to continue to encourage more exploration.
Ministerial Travel
Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of April 1, 2019.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has received the report from mediator Vince Ready that incorporates his binding recommendations and other matters agreed to by the parties during mediation.
Following the mediation which concluded on February 10, 2019, the GNWT and the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) agreed to a process for submitting outstanding issues to Mr. Ready for binding recommendations.
Ministerial Travel
Please note that travel schedules may change with little or no notice. This schedule is accurate as of March 25, 2019.
Caroline Cochrane will be participating in a constituency tour of Nahendeh with MLA Shane Thompson from March 25 to 27. Glen Abernethy is speaking at the Sahtu Regional Wellness Council meeting on March 28 in Norman Wells.
Meetings and Appearances
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 Territoires (GNWT) has announced that three communities will get funding for Coordinators who will be responsible for working on key tourism projects.
This is part of the Community Tourism Coordinator Program — an initiative of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment designed to help communities hire and maintain individuals to develop sustainable and marketable tourism products.
The communities selected for this intake are:
The Department of Infrastructure advises that unseasonably warm temperatures are impacting roads and ice road conditions across the Northwest Territories. Here are the latest road conditions:
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.
