Mr. Speaker, early in the New Year, an important milestone was achieved with the announcement of conditional federal funding to construct the Tłı̨chǫ All-season Road. This represents a critical step towards fulfilling the mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly to capture opportunities for investment in transportation infrastructure in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the Department of Transportation’s contractor has started its fourth and final winter of construction on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. As we come nearer to completing construction, I want to talk about the significance of this project to the communities of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk and residents of the Beaufort Delta.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to highlight the work done by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to support the Government of the Northwest Territories’ priority of lowering the cost-of-living for residents of the Northwest Territories. Progress towards our commitments in this area is essential if we are to improve our residents’ quality of life, and attract more people to make their homes in the territory.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to provide clarification on the implementation of Junior Kindergarten in the Northwest Territories. I think we can all agree that we want to give NWT children the support they need to thrive and be successful, Mr. Speaker.
Introduction
Mr. Speaker, there is a tradition of Finance Ministers in Canada wearing new shoes when delivering the budget address as a symbol for the direction described in the annual budget. Today, I am wearing my mukluks. I do this as a reminder to myself of where we come from and the importance of the work we do here for residents in all communities, large and small, throughout the Northwest Territories.
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my colleagues back to the Legislative Assembly. As this sitting gets underway, I would like to update Members and the public on some recent activities that the government has undertaken to advance the mandate and priorities of the Legislative Assembly, in service of the people of the Northwest Territories.
Check Against Delivery
Thank you, Premier. We have talked a lot today about the challenges faced by our mining industry and what we can - and must do - to move tis industry forward.
These are tough times in mining and these have been important conversations for us to have, but it is important that we do not lose sight of the successes that we have had – as an industry and a territory.
We are the jurisdiction which put Canadian diamonds on the map.
Check Against Delivery
Welcome to NWT Night. It is a real pleasure to see so many people here tonight who recognize what my government knows; the NWT has huge mining potential, that if developed sustainably and economically, will drive prosperity for the NWT for generations to come.
Check Against Delivery
Thank you all for joining us today. And, thank you for your interest in the Northwest Territories.
I will begin by recognizing that we stand on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
It’s a pleasure for me to be back at the Mineral Exploration Round Up – and to be joined by my cabinet colleagues. We have taken the extraordinary steps of attending Roundup this year to confirm our commitment to the mining industry.
Delivered on November 23, 2016
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am very pleased to be here this afternoon to provide the Committee with some perspectives from the Government of the Northwest Territories on areas where we believe the Northwest Territories can make significant contributions to the overall national objectives related to green energy, support for economic growth and development, and the knowledge based economy.
