Mr. Speaker, this government has been tasked with transforming Aurora College into a polytechnic university. This work, which will span the 18^th, 19^th, and 20^th Legislative Assemblies, is no small task, but I am here to tell you that we are well on our way. The transformation consists of over 200 projects and 2000 individual tasks. In order to be successful, we need to make the right changes, in the right order, and at the right time. To help keep things on track, the transformation is divided into three phases.

Février est le Mois des langues autochtones aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest (TNO). Cette année, les célébrations se dérouleront sous le thème « D’une seule voix ».

Le Mois des langues autochtones est une occasion pour tous les Ténois de promouvoir les neuf langues autochtones officielles des TNO et d’honorer les aînés, les enseignants et les défenseurs de ces langues qui travaillent à leur revitalisation dans leur communauté.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in this House today to celebrate the nine official Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories. How incredible that we have nine official Indigenous languages, unlike any other jurisdiction in Canada. Our languages are gifts to be protected, strengthened, valued and promoted. 

Mr. Speaker, every year, one in five Canadians experience a mental health challenge or illness. Young people aged 15 to 24 are more likely to experience a mental illness or substance use disorder than any other age group. Research also shows that 70 percent of mental health challenges begin during childhood or adolescence. These numbers are higher in the NWT with the impacts of intergenerational trauma and the legacies of colonization and residential schools.

La semaine dernière à Ottawa, la ministre Chinna a remis à Northern Compass le Prix Inspiration Arctique, un prix dont les Ténois peuvent être fiers.

Le Prix Inspiration Arctique reconnaît et encourage les équipes qui ont travaillé sur des projets pour le bien de l’Arctique canadien, des peuples arctiques et, par conséquent, du Canada tout entier.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories knows that climate change is an important issue to Northwest Territories residents and all Canadians.

That’s why strengthening the government’s leadership and authority on climate change and ensuring climate change impacts are considered when making government decisions are two of the 22 priorities identified by the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

Climate change affects our environment, our economy and the traditional way of life.

Le ministère de l’Éducation, de la Culture et de la Formation (MÉCF) du GTNO a publié un rapport d’évaluation sur les cinq premières années de l’Initiative pour le renouveau et l’innovation en éducation de la prématernelle à la 12^e année aux Territoires du Nord-Ouest (TNO).

Aujourd’hui, la première ministre Caroline Cochrane a déposé devant l’Assemblée législative le mandat du gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (GTNO) pour la période allant de 2019 à 2023.

Élaboré pour répondre aux besoins et aux aspirations des Ténois, le mandat 2019-2023 du GTNO orientera le travail du gouvernement sur les 22 priorités établies par la 19^e Assemblée législative.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to rise and speak to Members about the celebration of the 2020 Hockey Day in Canada being hosted here in Yellowknife. The celebration was launched on February 5^th and will continue to the 8^th.

This event marks the 9^th year of the festival celebrating hockey, one of Canada’s national sports. Norman Wells, Dettah and N’Dilo will also play host to visits associated with Hockey Day in Canada, as well as Deline, which is the birthplace of hockey in Canada.

Check Against Delivery

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Canada was tabled on the audit of Early Childhood and the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system in the Northwest Territories. The Report focused on five areas: Inclusive schooling; Indigenous language and culture-based education; equitable access to quality education; programming, staff qualifications, and training in licensed early childhood programs; and how these areas worked to support student outcomes.