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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the territorial emergency response that is underway to support the Kátł’odeeche First Nation and the Town Hay River as some residents of these communities return home following a second year in a row of evacuations caused by natural disasters.

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Mr. Speaker, settling and implementing treaty, land, resources, and self-government agreements is a key priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories within the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly.

Advancing agreements with Indigenous government partners supports reconciliation by moving us closer to recognizing and affirming Aboriginal and treaty rights and empowering program and service delivery by Indigenous governments.

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Mr. Speaker, the revitalization of the Great Slave Lake Commercial fishery has been a goal of the Government of the Northwest Territories since it was first proposed in the 2014 NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy.

This goal continues to be supported by our own government’s mandate to: increase food security through locally produced, harvested, and affordable food.

Central to our efforts has been the construction of a new fish processing facility in Hay River capable of processing and packaging Great Slave Lake fish for market.

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Mr. Speaker, wildfires are a natural part of our northern landscape, and are important for forest health and renewal. However, we also recognize that wildfires can pose a significant threat to our communities, our infrastructure, and other values at risk.

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Mr. Speaker, with funding from the federal government, the Department of Justice is enhancing access to free legal advice and legal representation for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence through the establishment of the Independent Legal Advice and Representation Program.

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Mr. Speaker, yesterday I stood up in the Legislative Assembly to thank residents and communities that hosted evacuees. I want to acknowledge that many communities have hosted evacuees that were not registered as part of the formal evacuation program. I want to thank communities like Fort Resolution and many others that opened their doors and hearts to their neighbours in their time of need.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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The importance of workplace safety cannot be understated. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, or WSCC, works to emphasize this message in many ways, like through partnerships with organizations that share similar audiences and values.

One such organization is Skills Canada Northwest Territories, which the WSCC has an ongoing, multi-year partnership with. Their recent territorial Skills Competition and Career Expo provided an opportunity for direct engagement with NWT youth.

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Mr. Speaker, winter roads play a role in connecting families and businesses in the territory. Every year, they allow essential goods like fuel for electricity generation, heat, and transportation to be delivered to communities and homes.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes the importance of these community lifelines, and remains committed to building, operating and maintaining accessible winter roads for all residents of the Northwest Territories.

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Mr. Speaker, strengthening relationships with Indigenous governments is a priority of this Legislative Assembly and a key objective in Housing NWT’s renewal strategy, so I am pleased to announce the formation of the NWT Housing Forum as another step toward this goal.

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Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Shane Thompson will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow to attend the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers for Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity meeting in Ottawa, Ontario.

I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Caroline Cochrane will be absent from the House for today and tomorrow due to illness.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.