Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I committed to reviewing the 2008 Ministerial Directive – Enrolment of Students in French First Language Programs. In conducting our review, we undertook a comprehensive engagement process targeting the rights holder population in the North. A total of 140 people responded either to our survey, attended a session in Hay River, or attended a session in Yellowknife. We reviewed legislation, current GNWT policies, and the responses from the stakeholder engagements and survey and conducted a jurisdictional scan.

Mr. Speaker, this is Small Business Week in Canada.

With over 90 percent of the NWT’s business being defined as small businesses, this important sector provides employment opportunities for our people, the economic diversity to balance the ups and down of the resource economy and makes our communities great places to live.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment helps create the economic environment NWT entrepreneurs and small business owners need to invest, take risks and prosper.

Mr. Speaker, continuing to invest in our power system and looking for innovative approaches to meeting NWT energy needs will be critical to our efforts to reduce the cost of living for NWT residents and protect the NWT environment. I rise today to provide an update on how the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, or NTPC, is contributing to that work.

Mr. Speaker, transitioning away from expensive fossil fuels for home heating and electricity generation will be critical for reducing the cost of living for NWT residents and protecting the NWT environment, but it will take time, innovative approaches and continued investment. I would like to update Members on some of the work that Public Works and Services is doing this year to support the use of energy efficient technologies, as well as increase the production of renewable and alternative energy in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its Mandate to develop a territorial climate change strategy and I wanted to tell Members about the work that is underway.

As you know, climate change is occurring at an accelerated pace in the Northwest Territories.  We have no choice but to be leaders in addressing, and adapting to the impacts of climate change in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has made a commitment in its Mandate to continue to implement the Regional Recruitment Program to assist with increasing regional employment opportunities by linking residents with on-the-job training.  In 2014, the GNWT introduced the Regional Recruitment Program to help increase regional recruitment and retention by providing a link between vacant regional positions and Northern residents seeking employment.

Yellowknife, le 14 octobre 2016 – Le premier ministre Bob McLeod a fait la déclaration suivante concernant le décès tragique de l’ancien premier ministre de l’Alberta et député, Jim Prentice :

Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to update the Members and residents on our fiscal situation.

The passage of the first budget of the 18th Legislative Assembly in June, just four short months ago, was the start of our commitment to three objectives in our fiscal strategy. First, we need to ensure we demonstrate discipline in our spending so that our expenditure growth is aligned with revenue growth. Currently this is particularly challenging as most of our revenues are based on federal transfers that are expected to have little growth in the medium term.

(Check Against Delivery)

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome all Members back to the second session of the 18^th Legislative Assembly. During this session, we will continue our work together to advance the priorities of the Assembly and the Mandate commitments of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

(Check against delivery)

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

It has been a pleasure to be a part of this event this week - and to have the opportunity to meet and engage with those of you who are the leaders and innovators of the mining and finance sectors.

It is an added privilege to be able to speak with you today on the subject of Future Mineral Development Opportunities.