Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to this Assembly’s goal of helping our residents become healthy, educated people free from poverty. A strong territory needs a strong society and all residents of the NWT should have the chance to enjoy the benefits of living in a prosperous, well-governed territory and to participate fully in a healthy, just society.

Last June, I was pleased to table the Anti-Poverty Strategic Framework: Building on the Strengths of Northerners. This important document represents input from key stakeholders and was an important first step.

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly’s vision of healthy, educated people contributing to a strong and prosperous Northern society starts in early childhood. The Departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services have worked collaboratively to craft a renewed Early Childhood Development Action Plan based on best practices, national and international research, and the wisdom of our Elders.

This Action Plan is the companion document to the Early Childhood Development Framework tabled in May 2013, and we will be tabling it later today.

YELLOWKNIFE (December 5, 2013) – Twenty-four delegates at the NWT Anti-Poverty Roundtable signed an Anti-Poverty Charter and committed to plans of action.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 27, 2013) – Youth in the Northwest Territories have a new weekly 30-minute radio show to celebrate their healthy choices about drugs and alcohol.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 27, 2013) – The GNWT’s collaborative approach to addressing the large number of preventable drownings has been recognized with the Award for Collaborative Excellence from the Canadian Collaborative Centres for Injury Prevention (CCCIP). The award is given every two years to recognize national leadership in injury prevention collaboration.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 22, 2013) – The Joint Leadership Council (JLC) of the Northwest Territories health and social services system has agreed on actions to improve services for NWT residents says Minister of Health and Social Services Glen Abernethy.

(October 29, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is committed to a goal of healthy, educated people free from poverty.  Improving the health status of the Aboriginal population in the Northwest Territories is one way the Department of Health and Social Services is accomplishing that goal.

(October 28, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is committed to investing in prevention to keep our health system sustainable. Vaccines are a cornerstone of preventative medicine and I would like to encourage all Northwest Territories residents to get their free flu shots this fall.

(October 22, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, many Northwest Territories residents continue to experience family violence or are dealing with its negative after-effects. This is not the kind of territory that we want. We talk about healthy and educated people in this Assembly, and we talk about safe and sustainable communities. We are committed to achieving those goals and addressing family violence is an important part of that commitment.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 16, 2013) – On October 3, 2013, citizens of Yellowknife came together with representatives responsible for public safety to discuss issues of concern in the capital city.

Minister of Justice Glen Abernethy, Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority CEO Les Harrison and Mayor Mark Heyck gave opening statements, along with RCMP Commanding Officer Wade Blake and Yellowknife Inspector Frank Gallagher.  The two-hour session was moderated by MLA Wendy Bisaro.