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Mr. Speaker, whether a business is small or large, having a safe and healthy workplace is crucial for success.  

I am pleased to inform the House today that the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission is now accepting applications for a new Youth Safety Leadership Program.
This is an opportunity for young workers aged between 14 and 24 in the Northwest Territories to develop as safety leaders within their communities and build skills that could lead to a rewarding career in workplace health and safety.

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Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to speak about our progress in establishing a polytechnic university in the Northwest Territories. The magnitude of this project was never something to be taken lightly, and we remain committed to completing work in the right order and at the right time.

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Mr. Speaker, 74 percent of the electricity that powers the homes, buildings and businesses in the Northwest Territories comes from hydroelectricity.

However, there is more we must do as a government and a territory.

That is why in the 2030 Energy Strategy, we committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in diesel-powered communities by an average of 25 percent.

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that I along with several of my Cabinet colleagues, had the privilege of visiting Hay River, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, and West Point First Nation earlier this week to observe the damage caused by this year’s flooding in the South Slave region. I want to thank Mayor Jameson and Chief Martel for inviting and hosting us on our tour around your communities. Thanks also to MLAs Bonnetrouge and Simpson for accompanying us and demonstrating leadership for your communities.

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Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. I’ve had a couple of brief media events in person over the last month but this is my first formal opportunity to join folks in a room for an event. There is a bit of synergy here: my role, in my view, is performed better when I am more connected to people and community and your industry connects people and communities so thank you for hopefully the first of many more opportunities to be back out in person connecting.

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This would have been my first opportunity to attend this annual event.

I understand the scope of the conference has been expanded this year - beyond arctic oil and gas - to include the broader energy and resource potential of Canada’s North.

This wider focus is one more-closely matched to the true potential of today’s Northwest Territories and I am pleased to be able to offer some comments this morning.

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Mr. Speaker, the past two years have been a difficult time for us all as we endured the challenges associated with a world-wide pandemic. We now face a period of economic uncertainty, due in part to the war in Ukraine and its global implications on the availability of, and cost of, goods and services.

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Mr. Speaker, education is very valuable and important in creating long-term success for our residents. To address ongoing shortages of qualified trade workers in NWT communities, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is committed to supporting training for apprentices.