YELLOWKNIFE (September 17, 2012) -- Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay has given his support to the multi-lateral Growing Forward 2 Agreement for Agriculture. This sets the stage for bilateral negotiations to take place between the federal and territorial governments on a new five-year joint funding agreement for agriculture in the NWT. Ministers of Agriculture and Agri-foods met in Whitehorse last week.

BEIJING, CHINA (September 14, 2012) – Premier McLeod spoke at the Canada China Business Council today as part of a premiers’ panel to encourage foreign investment in the territory’s mining, oil and gas, and hydro industries.

YELLOWNIFE (September 13, 2012) – The Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) has signed the Devolution Agreement-in-Principle (AiP) and will rejoin the negotiations to transfer Crown land and resource management responsibilities from the Government of Canada to the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

INUVIK  (September 11, 2012) - Three Inuvik residents were honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal during the community's Diamond Jubilee celebrations last weekend.

On September 8, Alfred Moses, MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake, presented medals to:

YELLOWKNIFE (September 10, 2012) – Residents, businesses and governments across the NWT are invited to take part in a discussion about their priorities for territorial programs and services. These discussions will build on the budget consultations from the last Legislative Assembly and are part of the GNWT’s commitment to seek Northerners’ opinions about the work their government should be doing.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 10, 2012) – The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is accepting applications for the 2012- 2013 NWT Youth Ambassador Program. The program provides NWT youth with opportunities to build leadership skills through participation at special events and volunteer assignments. In the past, NWT Youth Ambassadors have attended the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Winter Games, 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the 2011 Royal Visit.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 7, 2012) - September 9th, 2012 is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, an opportunity for communities to support prevention and intervention of FASD.

VANCOUVER (September 5, 2012) -- Premier Bob McLeod and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Michael Miltenberger are attending the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy, the preeminent forum for water policy study.  Premier McLeod will speak about the NWT’s approach to collaborative management of natural resources and balanced, sustainable development. This approach creates economic opportunities for the people of the NWT while ensuring northern conservation priorities are met.

YELLOWKNIFE (August 31, 2012) – Premier Bob McLeod met with Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian on August 27. This was the first meeting between the two government leaders since Grand Chief Norwegian’s election in June.  The agenda included devolution, the Wildlife Act, land use, and the flood in Nahanni Butte.

YELLOWKNIFE (August 29, 2012) – The Transitional Rent Supplement Program will begin on September 1. It supports low- to moderate-income residents in private market rental housing, and provides a rent subsidy of up to $500 per month for two years.