Mr. Speaker, this year, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities celebrates 50 years of collaboration and partnership among community governments and with the Government of the Northwest Territories.  

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its Mandate to continue implementing the Building Stronger Families Action Plan to transform child and family services, including work around the Child and Family Services Act.

The main purpose of the Child and Family Services Act is to protect children in situations where they may have been harmed, or where there is a risk of harm. The Act serves the best interests of children by protecting them from exposure to abuse and neglect.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its Mandate to create a new three-year Energy Action Plan, building on previous investments made over the past three years and the outcomes of the Energy Plan review.

As you have heard from the Minister of Public Works and Services, the Government of the Northwest Territories has accomplished a great deal in the areas of energy conservation and efficiency, and in implementing alternative and renewable energy solutions in recent years.  

Mr. Speaker, climate change continues to be one of the most serious environmental, economic and political challenges of our time and is an important issue to the residents of the Northwest Territories.  In the Mandate, the Government of the Northwest Territories, or GNWT, has committed to develop a territorial climate change strategy that takes Northern energy demands and the cost of living into account. It will reflect commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, explore carbon pricing systems and how to capture local alternatives such as hydro, biomass, wind and solar.  

Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide Members with an update on recent changes made with respect to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

On May 24, 2016, I appointed six Deputy Ministers to the Board of the Corporation.  The reasons for taking this action have been documented in the media but I would like to briefly reiterate these reasons and provide Members and the public with some information on next steps.

Mr. Speaker, it has been just over one year since Government of the Northwest Territories energy functions were consolidated in the Department of Public Works and Services. Today I would like to update Members on some of the work that this division is doing.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories has made a commitment in its mandate to supporting Elders by building more seniors’ supported independent living units and marketing maintenance, renovation and mobility upgrades to help seniors age in place.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories understands the importance of early childhood development, and has been focused on developing and implementing programs and services for families with young children for the past few years.  Healthy development during the first few years of life is crucial for lifelong success.

I would like to share today some of the positive funding changes we are making in early childhood development.

Mr. Speaker, in February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that certain provisions in the Criminal Code related to physician-assisted dying were unconstitutional. June 6^th is the day the Supreme Court’s ruling takes effect across the country. Medical assistance in dying is an option for eligible Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, it’s an honour to report on the third successful winter of construction on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway project.