YELLOWKNIFE (December 8, 2013) - Premier Bob McLeod will travel to South Africa this week to pay his final respects to His Excellency Nelson Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa, as part of the Canadian delegation being led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Premier will represent the Northwest Territories at the commemorative service being held in Johannesburg on December 10 and Mr. Mandela's lying in State in Pretoria on December 11.

Today we remember a targeted attack on women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. This was a horrific act of violence, and we must all work together to ensure that this never happens again. We are all responsible for making our homes and communities safer by protecting victims and their children, holding violent people accountable for their actions, and providing opportunities for change.

(December 5, 2013) - Honourable members, thank you for the invitation to address the Senate Committee on Energy. I am pleased to be here to speak to you today about Bill C-15, the Northwest Territories Devolution Act.

Devolution of responsibility for public lands, resources and water has been a priority for the people and Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories for many years.

YELLOWKNIFE (November 22, 2013) – Premier and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Bob McLeod joined Aboriginal Affairs Ministers and National Aboriginal Organization Leaders earlier this week in Winnipeg, Manitoba for a meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG). During the meeting, Premier McLeod was called upon by his colleagues to take on responsibility for leading the important work of the AAWG and assume the Chair of the group when it rotates later next year.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 30, 2013) – Premier Bob McLeod today announced changes to the Executive Council that will help it continue to achieve success in creating a strong, prosperous territory providing jobs and opportunities for all Northwest Territories residents. The changes will help also prepare the Cabinet for additional responsibilities being transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories through Devolution.

(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.

(October 17, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my colleagues back to the continuation of the Fourth Session of the 17^th Legislative Assembly.  It is good to be getting back to work. We have an ambitious agenda, Mr. Speaker, and a lot left to accomplish as a territory and as a government, so I hope my colleagues are feeling well-rested.

YELLOWKNIFE (October 1, 2013) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has completed a redesign of its organizational structure to incorporate the devolving programs and services, Premier Bob McLeod announced today.  Some departments will be receiving significant new functions and new responsibilities as of April 1, 2014. This is when responsibility for managing land, water and resources transfers from the federal to the territorial government, in accordance with the NWT Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement.

(September 19, 2013) - I am pleased to be here to show the Government of the Northwest Territories support for the United Way and to encourage everyone here to get involved in making your community a safe, healthy place for all of our families. Children with a good start are less likely to fall behind in school and get in trouble with the law. They grow up to be healthy adults who are less likely to live in poverty or have issues with addictions.

(September 11, 2013) - Welcome to the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna working group, and to attendees of the Parks and Protected Areas Seminar with the Northwest Territories, Finland and Norway.

It is a pleasure to be able to welcome such an expert group of individuals to the Northwest Territories, from circumpolar countries and beyond.