Mr. Speaker, in October 2014, I tabled Building Stronger Families – An Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services supporting the Government’s commitment to improve the quality of child and family services for those receiving services under the Child and Family Services Act. I am pleased to provide an update to Members on the progress to date and implementation of our Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services.

Mr. Speaker, on April 22, 2015, the federal government announced a $500 million increase to the GNWT borrowing limit, bringing the federally imposed borrowing limit to $1.3 billion as well the definition of self-financing debt is being revised.

Mr. Speaker, resource development has long been the foundation of our territory’s economy.

Our rich mining and oil and gas sectors have generated significant employment, skill development and wealth. Vital economic infrastructure that continues to advance economic growth in other sectors was, in many cases, first built to support resource development.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Members back to the continuation of the Fifth Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly. We have been working together for almost four years now on our vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.
We have made progress on that vision in our time together, and I thank Members for their support and guidance on the many projects and initiatives we have successfully introduced.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to advise Members of the passing of Mr. George Braden this past Monday in Ottawa.

Mr. Braden was a long time Northerner who graduated from Sir John Franklin Territorial High School before studying political science at the University of Alberta and Dalhousie University.

HOUSTON (May 5, 2015)- Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here today, and to participate in this panel discussion on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories, in Canada’s Arctic.

My comments today are titled “Unlocking OUR potential”. They could as easily be titled “Unlocking YOUR potential”.

You may ask how a small Canadian territory can presume to talk about unlocking the potential of the international oil and gas industry.

That is the question that I would like to address for you today.

(Check against delivery)

Thank you, I’m pleased to be here this morning with my colleague Minister Miltenberger to speak about the good news presented in yesterday’s federal budget.

Achieving an increase to the borrowing limit was one of the priorities that all Members of the 17th Legislative Assembly agreed to at the beginning of our term.

Mr. Speaker, the NWT is home to a small, but vibrant, manufacturing sector. We manufacture a range of products in the Northwest Territories – from signs and steel girders, to roof trusses, windows and fibreglass tanks. As other industrial sectors – such as mining, oil and gas, and construction – expand, there are opportunities for expansion within the manufacturing sector.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to openness and transparency in conducting its business on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. In support of this I am publishing a list of all meetings and teleconferences I have had with external parties, including my participation at intergovernmental meetings and conferences, as well as public events.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to salute the members of our local film and television industry. This industry is built on the dedicated efforts of businesses and individuals in the NWT who are committed to telling our stories to the world and contribute nearly $10 million to the NWT’s Gross Domestic Product annually.

In order to strengthen the economic viability of the Northwest Territories’ film and media arts industry and increase opportunities for investment, we need a comprehensive plan.