Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to announce the official launch of the Med-Response call centre. Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs joined me earlier today at Stanton Territorial Hospital to celebrate this milestone.

Mr. Speaker, the late Nelson Mandela said that overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right; the right to dignity and a decent life. As a government, we are committed to helping residents be self-reliant and to live with dignity. We have made investments in a wide range of programs, including education, housing, early childhood development, health promotion, and addiction prevention and treatment to help reduce and prevent poverty in our territory. However, government alone cannot eliminate poverty.

Mr. Speaker, as we have been hearing in this Assembly recently, on-the-land healing programs are critical to achieving our goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty. That discussion echoes recommendations previously made by the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the Fostering Open Expression among Youth team, better known as FOXY, for receiving the 1 million dollar Arctic Inspiration Prize. 

YELLOWKNIFE (January 5, 2015) – Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy announced today that the Stanton Territorial Health Authority (STHA) has awarded the air ambulance contract to Air Tindi Ltd. and Advanced Medical Solutions Inc., dba ACCESS (Aeromedical Critical Care Emergency Services Specialists). The eight-year contract was awarded following an extensive evaluation process by STHA and the Department of Health and Social Services.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 12, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is congratulating FOXY (Fostering Open eXpression among Youth), recipients of the third annual Arctic Inspiration Prize announced Wednesday night in Ottawa.Premier McLeod spoke today about the importance of empowering young women in the NWT and the key role they play as our future leaders.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 9, 2015) – The Department of Health and Social Services’ annual Drop the Pop campaign will soon begin in schools across the NWT.

This is the 10th year of the pan-territorial campaign, which is part of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) commitment to support Healthy Choices. Schools across the North that participated last year were eligible to be acknowledged with a cash award for their efforts to promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 5, 2014) – More than 100 delegates from across the Northwest Territories came together in Yellowknife over the past two days to hammer out an action plan to combat poverty in the NWT.

Participants in the Second Annual Northwest Territories Anti-Poverty Roundtable included representatives from community organizations, Aboriginal and community governments, non-government organizations and the private sector, representing every region of the NWT.  The event was hosted by the Department of Health and Social Services.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 25, 2014) –Working on Wellness (WoW) has officially launched in the NWT. The initiative is designed to help employers support their employees in making healthy lifestyle choices. WoW’s long-term goal is to reduce preventable cancers and other chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 19, 2014) – Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy announced today thatStanton Territorial Health Authority (STHA) has  received accreditation for the next four years under Accreditation Canada’sQmentum accreditation program.