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.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 14, 2014) – November 14th is World Diabetes Day (WDD) and Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy is urging Northwest Territories residents to choose a healthy lifestyle to help prevent diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Mr. Speaker, this Government is committed to improving the health and social services system in the Northwest Territories. Over the last year, I have travelled to every region of the NWT to consult with residents, communities, Aboriginal governments, and staff in the regional Authorities. Everywhere I go, I have heard from people that they don’t care about bureaucratic boundaries and regional silos. They just want the best possible care for themselves and their loved ones.  They want to be sure that we can afford to provide excellent care into the future.

Mr. Speaker, November 6-12, 2014 is National Seniors’ Safety Week and it is a good opportunity to remember the important role that Seniors and Elders play in our communities.

Elders are the heart of our communities, providing guidance, care for children, and serving as volunteers. But as they age, Seniors often require a greater level of support than others.

The Government has taken several steps to restructure our system so that it is responsive, comfortable and efficient when it comes to meeting the needs of Seniors. 

Mr. Speaker: I am pleased to report that earlier this month the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories launched the Wellness Court, supported by a new Department of Justice Wellness Court Program.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide this House with an update on the  Med-Response system.

Med-Response is the first program of its kind in Canada – or anywhere else, as far as we know.  Other jurisdictions have call centres to coordinate air ambulance triage and dispatch, or call centres to provide clinical consultation, but Med-Response is breaking new ground by combining these functions into one operation.