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Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of this sitting, I know Members of this House and residents of the Northwest Territories are looking forward to spring and summer in the North and all that it offers. This is a good time for us to reflect on the past year to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been a long haul for all of us.
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Mr. Speaker, with the recent announcement of the delay of the 2022 Arctic Winter Games,
I wanted to reach out to Northwest Territories, or NWT, youth and offer some words of encouragement to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or disappointed by this news.
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Mr. Speaker, throughout the life of this government, I have travelled to many communities and it cannot go unnoticed that every community in the Northwest Territories is unique and has different needs. With 33 unique communities in the NWT, flexible programming is needed to ensure community needs are being met.
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Mr. Speaker, the season for planting may still be a long way off but February 23rd was Agriculture Day in Canada and we have much to celebrate and work towards in support of agriculture in the Northwest Territories. I will also speak to the connection between the agriculture industry and efforts to strengthen food security.
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Mr. Speaker, the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, guided by the Aboriginal Steering Committee, represents a shared path forward for water stewardship and preservation with NWT residents and water partners. Water partners such as Indigenous, federal and territorial governments, non-government organizations, research institutions and universities, regulatory boards, communities and industry work together under the strategy to ensure our water remains clean and safe for future generations.
Good morning, everyone.
I am excited to be with you today and welcome you to this gathering of interpreters and translators.
While the meeting is taking place virtually, I am joining you from my hometown of Hay River which lies on the traditional lands of Kátł’odeeche First Nation, West Point First Nation and Northwest Territory Métis Nation.
I also want to acknowledge all the Indigenous nations of the NWT – the Inuvialuit, the Dene, the Métis, and the NWT Cree.
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Mr. Speaker, while 2020 was a very different year for film and media in the Northwest Territories, we have continued to work behind the scenes to ensure we are supporting the sector so they are ready to welcome new opportunities when border restrictions are eased.
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Mr. Speaker, caribou have sustained generations of Northerners across the Northwest Territories.
They are deeply tied to the NWT’s society and culture. Communities have always relied on them for food, hides and traditional practices.
But today, some herds have seen major declines. They continue to face challenges including climate change, habitat change, predators and human activity.
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Mr. Speaker, a fundamental part of our success as a government, and the future prosperity of our territory, depends on a productive and collaborative partnership with Indigenous governments. We must foster constructive and respective relationships with our Indigenous leaders, and to seek ways to advance reconciliation, recognize and affirm Indigenous rights, and support expanded program and service delivery.
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Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories understands how important it is for residents to have reliable and efficient access to driver and vehicle services. For this reason, we are committed to delivering and improving these services for the public, even during a global pandemic.
I would like to thank the employees working at driver and vehicle offices across the territory, including our regional contractors and online support staff.
