June 7, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the NWT is experiencing hot, dry conditions and the forests across most of the NWT are critically dry. The fire danger ratings in the North Slave, South Slave, and DehCho regions are at high or extreme and the NWT is in the midst of an early fire season. We have had increased fire activity over the past week and are presently dealing with a number of problematic wildfires within these regions.
June 7, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the Department of Public Works and Services’ efforts to achieve our government’s energy conservation goals are paying off. Through energy conservation programs and initiatives, we are reducing our government’s greenhouse gas emissions, achieving considerable cost savings, and reducing our dependency on fuel oil. These initiatives are key to effective and efficient government, and protect our environment so it will sustain present and future generations. Energy conservation isn’t a single program or initiative. It is our normal way of doing business.
Mr. Speaker, the 17th Legislative Assembly set a goal of achieving sustainable, vibrant and safe communities. Today I would like to take a moment to recognize personal safety on our roads and waterways.
The Department of Transportation consistently works to raise public awareness of safety issues. Now that summer is here again, it is important to keep these safety messages in mind.
June 6, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho Bridge is a major piece of public infrastructure that will serve the people of the Northwest Territories for years to come. This government intends to finish the bridge and have it open to traffic this year. I rise today to update Members and the public on steps the Department of Transportation and Ruskin Construction are taking to make our commitment a reality.
June 6, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the release of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs - United Nations International Year of Youth report.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming the year commencing on August 12, 2010 as the International Year of Youth.
June 6, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to highlight some of the new tools and resources that the Government of the Northwest Territories is using to modernize and update our recruitment practices and better communicate with job seekers in the Northwest Territories.
Rapidly changing technology gives us faster and more cost-effective ways to provide information about our programs and services, to promote the benefits of working with the territorial public service, and to recruit new employees.
June 5, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, when the 17th Legislative Assembly set its goals, two of them were to support the growth of healthy, educated people, and to operate an effective and efficient government. Today I would like to update my colleagues on an important development to the GNWT’s Digital Communications Network, which is helping achieve those goals.
June 5, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, the traditional economy is an important source of income for many Northwest Territories residents and one of the sectors that this government supports as part of our goal of a diversified economy. Today I would like to tell you about the remarkable sales of Northwest Territories wild furs this year and the government initiatives that support and promote this important economic sector.
June 5, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, our languages make us who we are as individuals and as a society. Today I would like to talk about service improvements and revitalization efforts for the Northwest Territories official languages.
Recently we concluded the consultation phase of the French Languages Plan. The Fédération Franco-ténoise is reviewing it and we hope to share it with Members of this Assembly very soon.
June 4, 2012 - Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that we continue to make progress on devolution, one of this Assembly’s major priorities.
Recently we saw the leaders of the Sahtu step forward to re-engage directly in devolution negotiations with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Canada, the Inuvialuit and Northwest Territory Métis Nation by signing the Agreement in Principle.
