Mr. Speaker, as NWT residents considering their future, our economy is top-of-mind.

As both promoter and contributor to the NWT economy, our government is working to spark economic growth across all sectors, and to foster an environment in which companies and individuals feel confident investing in Northern opportunities and jobs. 

Our agenda for economic development is three fold, we are working to responsibly unlock the potential of our non-renewable resources in a way that will both power and sustain the economic future of our territory and its communities;

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources recognizes that legacy arsenic contamination in the Yellowknife region has many residents concerned.

To this end, ENR continues to conduct monitoring, in collaboration with universities and the Government of Canada, on arsenic in water, sediments, soils and fish in the Yellowknife region.

Under-ice water sampling was done by Environment and Natural Resources at seven sites on Kam Lake and three sites on Grace Lake in April.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services continues to be committed to improving the health and the lives of Northerners.

To achieve this goal, Health and Social Services, along with the Tłįchǫ Government and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, submitted a proposal to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to establish a Strategy for Patient Oriented Research SUPPORT unit in the NWT.

Delivered May 29, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the FireSmart program is an important tool in mitigating risk and improving community protection in the event of a wildland fire.

Applying FireSmart principles increases human safety, decreases property loss and enhances wildland fire suppression success.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources continues to encourage communities, agencies, and home and cabin owners to promote and implement FireSmart principles.

Delivered on May 29, 2017

Mr. Speaker, as a government we have committed in our mandate to improve access to justice by making family law duty counsel services available to assist people representing themselves in court.  Today, I would like to provide an update on how this government is meeting and exceeding that commitment with an initiative to assist residents involved in civil or family justice matters.

Delivered on May 29, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to capture opportunities by securing funding for three new transportation corridors. 

Delivered on May 26, 2017

Delivered on May 26, 2017

Delivered on May 26, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to strengthen culture and heritage in the NWT by working with partners and stakeholders to update the 2010 NWT Aboriginal Languages Plan.

Delivered on May 26, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to work to resolve outstanding land, resources and self-government agreements during the term of our government. I would like to update Members today on the work our government is doing to fulfill that commitment.