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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to the devastating impact that the drug poisoning crisis has had on the community in Hay River. The Coroner has confirmed that there were six deaths related to drug poisoning in 2022. Many families are struggling to understand and cope with the emotional toll of these deaths.
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On behalf of myself, the Premier and my Cabinet colleagues, congratulations on arriving at the 50th anniversary of the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum!
My gratitude to the NWT and NU Chamber of mines for their continued good work and commitment to organize and host this annual event. Thank you also for the invitation and opportunity to speak this afternoon.
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Madam Speaker, Housing Northwest Territories marks its 50th year. With our Strategic renewal underway, Housing NWT is seeking to make improvements to the way we do business, and in particular focus on building and establishing stronger partnerships.
Leading up to National Housing Day on November 22, I would like to share with you some exciting things happening as well as celebrating the people who have made a difference in supporting Housing’s work over the years.
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Madam Speaker, as the Minister responsible for the public service I can say without question that employees are the GNWT’s most important resource. An engaged workforce that is committed to its work is critical to the delivery of quality programs and services to residents across the territory. This is why the Government of the Northwest Territories, like many other public and private sector employers in Canada, wants to ensure that public servants are engaged and satisfied at work.
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Madam Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs continues to be engaged in flood recovery and I am pleased to provide Members with an overview of the efforts taken to date and the status of the ongoing work.
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Madam Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will table Changing the Relationship, the final Action Plan in response to the Calls for Justice on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
At its core, this action plan is about relationships. Our relationships with institutions, governments, people, and history.
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Madam Speaker, as employment levels reach historic highs, tight labour markets are being experienced across the Northwest Territories and Canada. To address labour shortages, the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to strengthen our northern workforce through legislation, funding programs, academic and technical supports, and enhanced programs and policies.
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Madam Speaker, settling and implementing treaty, land, resources, and self-government agreements is a priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories and a key part of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Concluding agreements with our Indigenous government partners will advance reconciliation, recognize, and affirm Indigenous and treaty rights, support program and service delivery by Indigenous governments, and set the stage for economic self-determination.
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Madam Speaker, this government works to support Northerners who want to get out on the land and participate in traditional activities as part of sustainable livelihoods.
Since marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in September, I have thought about our efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and support residents of the NWT and the mandate commitments of this government all serve to create a critical mass that builds bridges and strengthens partnerships.
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Madam Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy, stabilizing the cost of power, and supporting national and global efforts to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
There are projects and initiatives the GNWT is leading that will help us meet this objective, like the proposed Fort Providence to Kakisa Transmission Line and our efforts to make biomass the main heating source for GNWT buildings.
