Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories has world-class mineral potential that could bring economic benefits to the residents of the Northwest Territories, industry players, and Canada.

Mr. Speaker, from February 15 to March 3, 2019, athletes from the Northwest Territories will be representing our territory at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta.  This event is an important celebration of Canadian sport and culture.  It will be the largest event of its kind ever hosted in Red Deer and central Alberta and one of the largest in Alberta since the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

Le ministre des Finances, Robert C. McLeod, a annoncé aujourd’hui la signature d’une entente entre le gouvernement des Territoires du Nord‑Ouest (GTNO) et North Star Infrastructure (NSI) pour la conception, l’aménagement, le financement, l’exploitation et l’entretien de la route toutes saisons de la région des Tłı̨chǫ.

Citations

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories is following through on its mandate commitment to strengthen connections with public and private sector partners in transportation infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is helping to address the high cost of living in our territory by implementing Northern solutions for Northern housing.  We are working with other governments and housing stakeholders to support Indigenous and local governments in their housing aspirations and create initiatives to address homelessness.  As part of its Strategic Renewal, the Housing Corporation is developing Community Housing Plans to guide and support strategic development and investment in each community.

Mr. Speaker, when our connections to our languages and cultures are strong, our people are strong. Languages and culture play a crucial role in people’s daily lives, as tools for communication, education, social integration and development. Language, cultural history and traditions shape us as people.

 I will begin by announcing that upon recommendation of the official language boards, February has been declared the new Indigenous Languages Month in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, we know that mental health and addictions issues are top of mind for many NWT residents and they are also priority area in the mandate of this Legislative Assembly.  To guide our work to address these important issues affecting our communities, the Department of Health and Social Services developed a Strategic Framework for Mental Health and Addictions Recovery in the fall of 2016.

Le gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (GTNO) invite les Ténois à s’exprimer sur le contenu de deux plans d’action en cours de rédaction : l’un portant sur les moyens de subsistance durables, sous la houlette du ministère de l’Environnement et des Ressources naturelles (MERN), l’autre, parrainé par le gouvernement, sur le savoir traditionnel des TNO.

Check against delivery 

Good afternoon, and thank you for being here today.

I would like to welcome Madame Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, and MP Michael McLeod to Yellowknife Airport, the largest airport in the Northwest Territories and the gateway to our communities and southern destinations.  

YELLOWKNIFE (February 10, 2019) - After two days of mediation convened by Mediator Vince Ready, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers have not reached a tentative agreement.

However, the parties have agreed to submit their outstanding issues to Mr. Ready for binding recommendations.