Livré le 4 avril 2017

Delivered on March 15, 2017

Good morning. Thank you for inviting me here today to speak about oil and gas in the Northwest Territories.

It is my pleasure to be here this week – and to be joined by a number of representatives from both the NWT’s territorial and Aboriginal governments.  It was good to see many of you at last night’s Northern Oil and Gas open house, and to share in a number of the conversations that were held.  I encourage you to seek us out. You will discover that we share a great deal of common ground.

Delivered on March 15, 2017

Good Morning. It is a pleasure to be back at the Arctic Oil and Gas Symposium to reconnect with many of you, and to forge new relationships.

Delivered March 10, 2017

Mr. Speaker, our territory is a region of massive petroleum potential, and we have committed in our mandate to delivering a long-term strategy to capitalize on these reserves, and to bring oil and gas investment back to the NWT.

The need for this work was first identified during public engagements informing the development of the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy.  

Delivered on March 10, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the decisions we make here in the Legislative Assembly, have real impacts on the people of the Northwest Territories. Make no mistake about it; they are watching us to find out what our plans are and how they will be affected. That puts a big responsibility on us to make sure what we say here is accurate and does not cause any public fear or misconceptions about the government’s plans.

Delivered on March 10, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the secret is out; or, to be more precise 150 secrets are coming out.  

They are the foundation of a Canada-wide promotion highlighting the many reasons our territory is a spectacular place to live and visit.  

From coast to coast, Canadians are learning about things like the Rabbit Kettle Tufa Mounds in Nahanni National Park, the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the Canol Trail, Ice Road Truckers and Fort Smith’s annual Paddlefest.

Delivered on March 9, 2017

Mr. Speaker, mining is the NWT’s biggest industry and the engine of our economy. For decades it has created opportunities for NWT businesses, provided Northerners with good, quality jobs, and contributed significantly to government revenues. 

Delivered on March 9, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again update this House on some of the work our government is doing to further enhance public engagement and transparency. When I last updated Members in early November, I announced that I would soon be engaging directly with NWT residents about open government. I also committed to provide this House with an update.

Delivered on March 9, 2017

The Government of the Northwest Territories made a commitment in its mandate to increase exports by promoting NWT products to international markets. I rise, today, to update my colleagues on recent activities supporting this commitment.

I am pleased to inform Members that following a long and concentrated lobby by our government and its partners, the Inuvialuit have been formally recognized under the Indigenous exception to the European Union’s seal products prohibition.

Delivered on March 9, 2017

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and its partners across government, in industry, and education are all working together to ensure that NWT residents have the information they need to be well positioned to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.