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Mr. Speaker, today, I want to talk about opportunity; opportunity that strengthens communities, creates pathways to employment and entrepreneurship, and positions Northerners to capitalize on the heightened national and international interest in the North. As the Minister of Finance said in yesterday’s Budget Address, a strong Northwest Territories builds a stronger Canada, and that strength begins with our people and the opportunities before them.

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Mr. Speaker, across the Northwest Territories, residents want better access to primary and community care that feels safe, respectful, and connected to culture and community. Indigenous residents have been clear about the harm, discrimination, and inequities they continue to experience in the health and social services system. These experiences affect trust, access, and health outcomes in ways that cannot be ignored.

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Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT continues to repair, retrofit, and construct housing across the NWT at a rapid pace, establishing a strong economic foundation in the NWT and more homes for Northerners, two of this government’s top priorities.

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Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that I will deliver the Budget Address on Thursday February 5, 2026.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker, we gather today at a significant moment for our territory and for our country. It is a moment of change and uncertainty, but for the Northwest Territories, it is also a moment of opportunity.

Regardez la vidéo complète du Discours territorial sur YouTube. 

Lorsque le Canada tourne son regard vers l’avenir, le Nord apparaît comme un phare – et les Territoires du Nord-Ouest en sont le cœur. Alors que nous mettons en œuvre nos priorités communes, des progrès se profilent à l’horizon.

Discours prononcé par le premier ministre R. J. Simpson dans le cadre de la conférence « Geoscience Forum », le 25 novembre 2025.

Bonjour. Mahsi cho d’être ici aujourd’hui.

Les Territoires du Nord-Ouest sont au cœur de l’avenir du Canada lorsqu’il est question de ressources. Des minéraux critiques à une géologie de classe mondiale, notre territoire possède les matériaux et l’expertise dont le Canada a besoin pour rester compétitif dans une économie mondiale en pleine évolution.

Discours prononcé par le premier ministre R. J. Simpson dans le cadre de la conférence « La prochaine transformation économique du Canada : La politique industrielle dans une période tumultueuse », un événement d’une journée organisé à Ottawa le 16 septembre 2025 par l’Institut de recherche en politiques publiques. Une version vidéo du discours est disponible ici.

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Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update you on progress made by the Government of the Northwest Territories' Sector Support Initiative for Non-Governmental Organizations.

In response to the 2023 External Advisory Committee report on Strengthening the Non-Profit and Charitable Sector, the GNWT has committed to building stronger relationships, cutting red tape, and making funding more reliable for NGOs.

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Mr. Speaker, during the last sitting, I committed to keeping this Legislative Assembly informed about the steps our government is taking to support adult learning and community-based education in the wake of Aurora College’s decision to close Community Learning Centres earlier this year.

Today, I rise to share an important milestone in that work. Mr. Speaker, I am going to begin my update in Dene Zhatıé

[The following portion  will be spoken in Dene Zhatıé]