Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to address you here today.

As many of you are aware.  I began my career as a parks officer for the GNWT.  It was something I really enjoyed - and to this day - the tourism sector is one that I hold a great interest in – and passion for. For the past year, some of the most satisfying and enjoyable elements of my work as a Minister have been the opportunities I have had to promote and represent our spectacular Territory to people in other parts of Canada and the US.

Mr. Speaker, healthy behaviours and healthy choices are fundamental to a good education and superior quality of life.  Schools offer a significant opportunity to educate young people about healthy lifestyles and to foster healthy behaviours. In the Northwest Territories, schools play a strong central role in health promotion. While we develop the programs that foster these healthy behaviours, we must first understand what our young people think about their health, their challenges, and their choices.

 Mr. Speaker last week in Winnipeg my colleague Mr.

Mr. Speaker, in 2001 people from around the NWT gathered on the Hay River Reserve to develop a Social Agenda for the Northwest Territories.  Addressing social issues was a priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories at that time, as it is for the 17^th Legislative Assembly today. 

 Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to update the people of the Northwest Territories on the status of the barren-ground caribou and the condition of the various herds.

During this past summer we were able to complete full surveys on the Cape Bathurst, Tuk Peninsula and Bathurst herds.  A partial survey of the Bluenose-West herd was also done.  Surveys of the Bluenose-East and Porcupine caribou herds could not be done due to weather conditions.  Surveys are planned for both these herds next summer.

 Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform Members and the public that the Deh Cho Bridge will officially open on November 30^th.

Mr. Speaker, the film and media arts industry makes a positive economic and cultural impact on our Territory.  It provides employment and learning opportunities for our residents, provides a venue for our talented filmmakers to showcase their work and draws outside production companies to the Northwest Territories to create memorable films that use our rugged landscape as a backdrop.  

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is dedicated to providing relevant and necessary programming to suit the needs of our adult learners. 

Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of our term, the 17^th Assembly set a goal of an efficient and effective government.

This was clear direction, and we followed it. In June, I tabled the Department of Justice 10-Year Strategic Plan and I committed to bring forward a 5-year implementation strategy during this session. Later today I will table that document.

While the Strategic Plan outlines the Department’s vision, goals and priorities, the 5-year implementation strategy is the roadmap for how we are going to get there.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update Members on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway project.