Delivered October 3, 2017

Mr. Speaker, since 2013, September 30^th has been marked as Orange Shirt Day, a day for all Canadians to remember the survivors of the residential school system.

Organizers chose an orange shirt as the symbol for that day based on a story told by Phyllis Jack Webstat, a survivor of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, BC. In her story, Ms. Webstat tells of having the shiny, new orange shirt her grandmother had given to her being taken away on her first day at residential school.

(Check against delivery)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank Councilor Cecilia Beaulieu from the Yellowknives Dene First Nation for her welcoming remarks. On behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to also welcome you here this evening to discuss the energy opportunities and challenges facing the Northwest Territories today.

Mr. Speaker, over the past few years, we have seen remarkable political development in the Northwest Territories. Land, resources and self-government agreements are being negotiated and settled. In April we concluded devolution and have seen the smooth transition of federal powers to the Government of the Northwest Territories. As a result of these efforts, northerners have taken greater control over their social, economic and political destinies, have found new ways to work together and have greater national prominence than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has a vision of a strong, prosperous North. We know that creating this North starts with healthy, safe communities where people can prosper, free from the fear of violence.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a challenging summer for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. During this past summer the Taltson hydroelectric plant and the transmission lines between the Snare plants and Yellowknife were threatened by forest fires. Fortunately, all major infrastructure was preserved however, these same fires were responsible for half of the power outages experienced on the Snare system.

Mr. Speaker, investing in the health and well-being of our people and our communities and building prosperity in the Northwest Territories is at the heart of this Assembly’s priorities. But it is not our priority alone. Mr. Speaker, these goals are shared by many non-governmental organizations in our territory, by our citizens and by our employees.