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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.

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Madam Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is reviewing the supplementary health benefits available to NWT residents. These benefits cover prescription drugs for approximately 1,500 residents, benefits that go beyond coverage provided by the NWT Health Care Plan. Unfortunately, these programs are not currently available to everyone, so we are now updating the policies that underpin this program.

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Madam Speaker, making strategic infrastructure investments is a priority of 19th Legislative Assembly.

Given our vast Territory, airports are indeed strategic infrastructure to the North. Residents across the Territory depend on air travel for the movement of goods and people, medevacs, search and rescue operations, forest fire response, and much more. Our airports also contribute to the economic and social well-being of NWT residents.

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Madam Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories stands with the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments against harassment, abuse, and unethical behaviour in sport. By being a signatory to the 2019 Red Deer Declaration for the Prevention of Harassment, Abuse and Discrimination in Sport, we commit to do our part to ensure a Safe Sport environment for all participants in the Northwest Territories.

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Mr. Speaker, climate change is one of the most complex and far-reaching issues facing the Northwest Territories today. Despite being responsible for less than 0.2% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Northwest Territories is experiencing rates of climate warming up to four times faster than the rest of Canada. This affects all aspects of our way of life. It is a serious threat to the economy, and to the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental health and wellness of residents.

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The Government of the Northwest Territories has a responsibility to ensure benefits from the extraction of NWT natural resources are provided to residents of the NWT.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has three initiatives that are advancing the priority set by the 19th Legislative Assembly to advance a benefit retention approach to economic development in the NWT.

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Good day all and welcome to the NWTT Tourism AGM. Thank you Donna Lee and NWTT for the invitation to speak at this event again this year. And congratulations on being able to organize an in-person gathering for the first time in three years.

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Mr. Speaker, The Government of the Northwest Territories has made it a key priority to advance the development of the all-season Mackenzie Valley Highway.