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Mr. Speaker, today I would like to provide an update on the progress of Housing NWT’s Community Housing Plans, which is a comprehensive, detailed information document to better direct housing investment in NWT communities.

Through partnerships with Indigenous governments, community governments, and stakeholders, over the last three years housing plans have been completed in Fort Good Hope, Whatì, Paulatuk, Enterprise, Nahanni Butte, and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation.

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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce a new focus on patient experience in the health and social services system.

The Office of Client Experience offers a centralized point of contact for individuals to provide feedback, make a complaint, or ask any questions they have regarding the health and social services system.

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Mr. Speaker, through strategic infrastructure investments, this government is committed to supporting the expansion and diversification of our economy, improving the quality of life for residents, and lowering cost of living in the territory.

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Mr. Speaker, February is Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories.

Following Portion will be spoken in Cree [This month we highlight the importance of language revitalization and celebrate our diverse Indigenous languages.] Resume English

This month, let us celebrate the territory’s nine Indigenous languages and learn about the important role language revitalization plays in advancing reconciliation in a real and meaningful way.

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Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to working with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations on conservation in the Northwest Territories. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has spent the last three years implementing establishment agreements, drafting site-specific regulations, and establishing management boards for existing territorial protected areas, Thaidene Nene and Ts’ude Nilįné Tuyeta.

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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this House that the draft NWT Energy Management Strategy is out for public feedback until February 21, 2023.  

This strategic approach will support both Housing NWT’s energy goals and objectives, as well the strategic objectives of the GNWT’s 2030 Energy Strategy, and a long-term view towards guiding energy management decisions and investments. The strategy will also support skills training, economic development opportunities and more reliable and sustainable energy systems for Housing NWT. 

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Mr. Speaker, last month I attended the annual Association for Mineral Exploration Roundup conference in Vancouver with fellow Cabinet Members and government officials. We were there to advance this Legislative Assembly’s priorities to increase resource exploration and development in our territory; adopt a benefit retention approach to economic development; make strategic infrastructure investments; and, to identify, prioritize, and strengthen key actions to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

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Mr. Speaker, in the past two years, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has provided over 50 million dollars in funding support. This year Housing NWT is again delivering an exceptionally large capital program of over 104 million dollars.

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Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories transportation system is critical to connect residents and communities, to support the economy and to allow for the delivery of goods and services. 

Our government is committed to improving, maintaining and expanding our highway system to offer safe and reliable infrastructure that can adapt to the effects of time and climate change, while also creating training and employment opportunities for our residents.

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Mr. Speaker, I welcome my colleagues back for the February – March 2023 sitting of the 19th Legislative Assembly. I hope you all had an opportunity over the last few months to spend time in your constituencies hearing from residents and stakeholders so that we can collectively and collaboratively work together to advance the priorities of the people who elected us to represent them.