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Uqaqti, uvani katimavikpangmi ilitchuripkarait qanuqangalutikraq hunigliqaa munaqrimun kiinauranik atuutinganun ilaulahilugi  inaurani ittuat, aglipkaqniarlugi havautating unmuktinniarlugu inuuniarniq akihuruaq. Matkua hurarautingit ikayurniarait Northwest Territories havaatigun inuit ikayurniaiqlugit tamairuat kiinauranik puvaklurnim payariarikangating.

Uqaqti, una pikaqapta ikayuqkavut Kavamavut una havalahipkaqlugu Tljchomi appqutiqpak.

Mr. Speaker, the 19 Legislative Assembly has identified making strategic infrastructure investments that connect communities, expand the economy and reduce the cost of living as a priority. These projects will also support the Northwest Territories economy as we look at ways to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, one project that supports our government’s efforts to meet this priority is the Tłı̨chǫ Highway. Construction of this all-season road began in the fall of 2019. Despite a brief six-week pause in work caused by COVID-19 last spring, the project remains both on schedule and on-budget, with substantial completion and official opening expected in fall of 2021. To date, approximately 97 kilometres of embankment construction and 45 kilometres of gravel surfacing have been completed. Out of four bridges, three have been completed, and the remaining one will be completed this coming summer. Seasonal construction ended on December 15, 2020 and will resume in the spring.

When the Tłı̨chǫ Highway is completed, this two-lane gravel highway will provide year-round access from NWT Highway No. 3 to the community access road to Whatı̀. The project will help to connect communities, support employment and training opportunities across the region, increase our territory’s resiliency to climate change, and create new social and economic opportunities.

The Tłı̨chǫ Highway will end at kilometre 97 where it connects with the existing Whatı̀ Access Road. We are continuing to explore opportunities with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to improve the condition of the Whatı̀ Access Road, and we are currently working on design and obtaining a water licence, and assessing funding options for that initiative.

Mr. Speaker, the Tłı̨chǫ Highway represents a true collaboration between the Community Government of Whatı̀, the Tłı̨chǫ̨ Government, Kiewit Canada Development Corporation, the federal government, and the GNWT. It is an example of how infrastructure on NWT Indigenous territory can be carried out. The Tłı̨chǫ Highway runs through Tłı̨chǫ Lands, and the Tłı̨chǫ Government’s 20% equity ownership in North Star Infrastructure is reflective of this important fact. The Tłı̨chǫ Highway has been a positive step towards reconciliation and we will take lessons learned to apply to future projects.

Like all of us, North Star Infrastructure has had the added challenge this past year of keeping their staff and the surrounding communities safe during the pandemic. North Star Infrastructure has an extensive COVID-19 mitigation plan in place that complies with the Chief Public Health Officer's orders and guidelines. I commend their commitment to ensuring the safety of their employees while keeping the project on track.   

Increasing access to Tłı̨chǫ communities will help to reduce the cost of living in the region and support new social opportunities, while also attracting interest from industry in the exploration and development of natural resources. I will continue to provide updates as we progress through the project timelines and look forward to the day when we can celebrate this achievement for the community of Whatı̀ and the Tłı̨chǫ region.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.