Northwest Territories News

Mr. Speaker I would like to take a few moments to speak to the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link project or MVFL.

On January 12, 2015 the Government took the first step towards removing the limitations of our current communications infrastructure. The Fibre Link project will allow Inuvik to become a global remote sensing site, enable our Government to improve our programs and services, particularly in the areas of education and health; and allow many more of our residents and businesses to join the 21st century and communicate in real time, with the rest of the world.

Mr. Speaker, the first winter construction season of the MVFL project has concluded with over 430 km of fibre optic cable installed. Though this construction season faced some initial challenges, it was successful with just over one third of the route completed. The project remains on time, on budget, with a startup date of the second quarter of 2016.

Winter construction activity took place between Tulita and Inuvik and employed approximately 112 local residents and used over 21 local contractors and suppliers. With the economic challenges facing the many of our Sahtu and Gwich’in communities, this past winter I am happy to report the Fibre Link project was able to contribute to the local economy in these communities.

Mr. Speaker, the summer build between McGill Lake and Wrigley is set to begin in late June. The MVFL Project Team is eager to being summer work and will continue engaging local residents and businesses on project progress over the coming weeks and months.

Mr. Speaker, since construction commenced, we have experienced increased interest, nationally and internationally, in the growth of the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility. Since its official inauguration in 2010, a total of three 14 metre receiving antennas have been installed on site. An additional dish has been committed for this summer; with the site preparation work for the installation is currently underway. A fifth dish is being planned for summer/spring 2016.

The Premier Robert R. McLeod, the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Mr. Robert Hawkins, MLA from Yellowknife Centre, and myself will be travelling to Europe in June with officials from the Federal Government to continue to promote the Fibre Link project and increase utilization of the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility.

We have seen first-hand the significant positive benefits the satellite ground station and remote sensing industry have had not only on the economy of Kiruna, Sweden, but also the important role they play in facilitating advanced learning at the Institute of Space Physics. The potential impact of an expanded satellite ground station in Inuvik on the Aurora Research Centre is significant and could make this facility one of the “the places to be” to conduct space-based Arctic research.

I would like to conclude my statement by thanking the sustained efforts and support from our residents, businesses and community leadership throughout the Mackenzie Valley to ensure the continued success of the project.

I also want to thank all my colleagues of this Assembly for their support in advancing the project.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, economic opportunity comes in all shapes and forms. This summer, it is coming to the Northwest Territories in the form of morel mushrooms – a delicacy highly sought after by food markets around the world.

Ultimately, Mother Nature will have the largest role in determining the success of our harvest. However, under the right conditions, we anticipate this harvest could generate as much as ten million dollars in the NWT this summer.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has been working to prepare NWT residents to take advantage of this opportunity and keep some of these revenues within the territory.

In preparation, we have hosted 19 morel mushroom information sessions in communities where the impacts of the anticipated season are expected to be greatest. These sessions were overwhelmingly popular, with nearly 1,200 residents participating.

Those in attendance learned of potential harvesting areas, methods for gathering and storing morels, and best practices for selling and marketing their harvest.

The sessions also emphasized the message of harvesting in a way that is safe, legal and respectful of the environment and Aboriginal peoples, whose lands some of these mushrooms will be on.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment has worked with the NWT Association of Communities and the Government of Canada to produce a Morel Mushroom Harvester’s Handbook and field guides to ensure pickers have adequate information at their disposal when they venture into the harvest areas.

On-site walking workshops have also begun and will continue until mid-June in areas where the mushrooms have appeared to provide hands-on experience for those interested in harvesting.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for assisting us in also providing safety information for prospective harvesters venturing out this summer.

All of this information is now available in French and English on the Industry, Tourism and Investment website.

Mr. Speaker, while ITI has worked to prepare residents for this opportunity, it cannot guarantee a bountiful and prosperous harvest. Many other factors can and will impact the success of this year’s harvest.

Morels will need to meet or exceed certain standards of quality and consistency. Rain, the lack of rain, fire and cooler temperatures will have influences on the crop and the length of harvest that can be realized in our territory; and prices, determined by buyers, will similarly be affected by these elements and the economic principle of supply and demand.

Our territory has a proud history of resourcefulness and innovation. The quick development of a strategy and plan to realize the benefits of what could be a multi-million dollar morel mushroom harvesting opportunity this summer is a good example.

We are also a territory that believes in working together – as Northerners – and in partnership with those from outside of our territory.

I would like to recognize today Chief Lloyd Chicot and the people of Kakisa. In the face of concerns about the impacts that an influx of people will have on their community, they embraced the occasion – throwing a welcoming community barbeque for as many as 50 pickers in the area, and sharing with them their traditional practice of catching and drying fish right out of the river.

It was an opportunity for pickers and residents to meet and learn more about each other, and to agree on boundaries and practices that could be followed in the mutual realization of benefits from this most unique and economic opportunity that has come to the NWT this summer.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 29, 2015) – A wide variety of events and activities are taking place across the Northwest Territories in celebration of National Tourism Week, which runs from May 31 to June 6 this year.

In the 2013/14 fiscal year, the tourism industry contributed a staggering $132.5 million in visitor revenue and attracted 90,000 visitors from around the world – the highest number of visitors in a decade.

“We owe the success and growth of this industry to the tourism workforce that creates memorable experiences for visitors,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay. “As we increase training opportunities, tourism programs and services, and community infrastructure, we are building a bright future for this industry and the economy.”

Tourism Week activities in the NWT include:

North Slave Region:

• June 2: Visit CDETNO at the Yellowknife Farmers’ Market as they launch the bilingual Balado Discovery App “Old Yellowknife walking tour”, which features 33 points of interest around Old Town.

• June 5 at 4:30pm: Grand Prize Draw for the “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” Campaign at the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre.
  • 1st prize – two-night, all-inclusive stay for two people at Hearne Lake Lodge
  • 2nd prize – a weekend camping package at Prelude Lake Territorial Park
  • 3rd prize – a six-person Oldtown Glassworks Workshop
  • 4th prize – a gift basket showcasing local arts and crafts

• June 6: Second Annual World Shore Lunch Championship

Location: Northern Frontier Visitor Centre, begins at 3:30pm

Deh Cho Region:

• June 5: Fort Simpson: Tourism Community BBQ – Door prizes to be won
  Location: Fort Simpson Visitor Information Centre, 12:00 pm

• June 3: Fort Simpson: Tourism Week Open House. Snacks and refreshments available
  Location: Simpson Air, 1:00-3:00pm

Beaufort Delta Region:

• June 1: “Inuvik Eats”: lunch specials and discounts available at local restaurants

• June 2: Picnic and Parks Day at Jim Koe Park

• June 3: Images and Film (20×20 film exhibit, film screening, Arctic movie night)

• June 4: Shop and Explore Local (Free local tours including the Inuvik Greenhouse, Church, Ingamo Hall, free swimming, visitor centre, and kennel tours)

Sahtu Region:

• June 3: Community Cook Out, Norman Wells Historical Society

Enter the raffle to win some great prizes:

• 1st prize – a weekend fishing trip for two to Grey Goose Lodge
• 2nd prize – a day on the river and a shore lunch for four with Mountain River Outdoor Adventures
• 3rd prize- $500 gift certificate to the museum gift shop

South Slave Region:

• June 1-5 Open house at the Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith.

NWT Wide:

• NWT Tourism is hosting a “BestOfNWT” contest. Share what you think are the best tourism experiences in the NWT and it could be featured on the cover of the 2016 Explorers’ Guide. GoPro cameras are available in Hay River, Norman Wells, Yellowknife, Inuvik and Fort Simpson to help you capture the spectacular NWT. The contest website, BestOfNWT.com will launch June 1 at noon and submissions can be made throughout the summer.

 By supporting the economic opportunities within the tourism industry, ITI is helping to build a strong and sustainable future for the NWT, a priority of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

Media inquiries:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: drew_williams@gov.nt.ca

Mr. Speaker, in October 2014, I tabled Building Stronger Families – An Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services supporting the Government’s commitment to improve the quality of child and family services for those receiving services under the Child and Family Services Act. I am pleased to provide an update to Members on the progress to date and implementation of our Action Plan to Transform Child and Family Services.

The Action Plan outlines 12 major initiatives in response to the many recommendations made for system-wide change. These initiatives support our goal to provide more assistance to families at risk. Increased early support will reduce child apprehensions and the need for court proceedings. The initiatives contribute to a flexible approach to service delivery, grounded in collaboration and building on family strengths and needs.

In order to transform child and family services we must ensure staff have the tools required to assess risk and improve practice and service delivery.

In the past year, we have taken a number of steps to increase staff capacity. We have begun to adapt Structured Decision Making tools that staff can use when screening reports of child protection concerns to help them assess the immediate safety and long- term risk to the children and families involved. We have revised the Child and Family Services Standards and Procedures Manual, ensuring it reflects best practices and provides increased resources to support children. We have brought forward amendments to the Child and Family Services Act that, if passed, will extend child protection services to the age of majority and the provision of services for children in permanent custody to the age of 23.

Work in areas of risk management and quality assurance focuses on the systems in place to support the work of our staff. In the past year, we redesigned the Child and Family Services annual file audit process by introducing a revised audit tool, establishing a regular annual audit schedule, and creating regional audit teams with a collaborative approach to the audit process. We are also replacing the current Child and Family Services information system, with a new system that will provide enhanced case management capabilities and improved data reliability.

In the area of Program Administration and Management, we have strengthened accountability by appointing Chief Executive Officers as Assistant Directors of Child and Family Services and have provided training on their responsibilities under the Child and Family Services Act. These appointments ensure there is direct accountability to the Director for the delivery of services.

Last year the Auditor General recommended improving leadership and communication within child and family services. In response, the Directors of Social Programs Forum has been reconvened. This group brings together senior staff from each region who deal with child and family programs, meets by teleconference monthly and face-to-face twice a year to discuss Building Stronger Families and the variety of initiatives guided by the Action Plan.

We have enlisted the Child Welfare League of Canada to complete the first phase of a workload management study. We worked with Child Protection Workers and other Authority staff to identify significant workload drivers that impact their ability to efficiently provide services. We now better understand the primary drivers we will address to create an effective and efficient workload management process in child and family services.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, as we move forward with the system transformation outlined in Building Stronger Families, we will continue to work with our partners at regional and community levels to ensure these changes acknowledge and reflect the many participants in the delivery of programs and services. We are committed to working together and understanding the unique interests and challenges throughout the NWT as we improve our delivery of child and family services.

Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to realizing this Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated children. The steps we are taking will help ensure NWT children and families get the services and support they need. I look forward to working with Members as we continue our work to transform child and family services in the NWT.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the cost of energy continues to be one of the leading contributors to the high cost of living in the Northwest Territories. This past winter, a drop in wholesale prices for heating fuel and gasoline gave the Department of Public Works and Services the opportunity to pass savings on to the residents of some of our most remote communities.

Through the Petroleum Products Program, the Fuel Services Division of the Department of Public Works and Services provides essential fuel services to 16 NWT communities where the private sector does not. Fuel is supplied via winter road to nine of these communities. This year, thanks to lower market costs, the Department was able to reduce retail heating fuel, diesel fuel and gasoline prices from four percent to more than 18 percent per litre.

With this in mind, Mr. Speaker, the Fuel Services Division is committed to passing on cost savings on fuel products it provides wherever possible. We anticipate that with the present stability in the market price for fuel, the Department will be able to pass similar savings on to those communities resupplied by barge this summer.

Lower fuel prices have provided some relief from the high cost of living to residents in Whatì, Gamètì, Wekweètì, Jean Marie River, Nahanni Butte, Trout Lake, Wrigley, Délįnę, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake and Tulita. As residents and as a government, we must continue to improve our energy awareness, promote energy efficient behaviour, and seek out affordable alternative and renewable long-term energy solutions in order to achieve our vision of an environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.

The Fuel Services Division is a key function in the newly established Energy activity within the Department. The Energy activity is also actively engaged in identifying renewable and alternative fuels and energy solutions to better support the GNWT’s goals of energy efficiency, sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on April 22, 2015, the federal government announced a $500 million increase to the GNWT borrowing limit, bringing the federally imposed borrowing limit to $1.3 billion as well the definition of self-financing debt is being revised. Post devolution this increase in our borrowing limit gives the Government of the Northwest Territories increased flexibility to invest, in consultation with Members of the Legislative Assembly, in much-needed infrastructure that will support the responsible development of the NWT and its economy and bring down the cost of living for communities and residents. The federal government has recognized both the positive economic outlook for the territory and our disciplined fiscal management that this increase represents.

We, as an assembly, must remain vigilant. As Members will recall, one of the more important fiscal planning principles adopted at the start of the 17th Assembly, was ensuring the Government had the fiscal capacity to respond to revenue shocks and in-year expenditure pressures by maintaining at least $100 million in borrowing authority at the end of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

The Government will continue to face flat revenue growth and expenditures pressures due to low water levels, health and forest firefighting costs during the 18th Assembly. To ensure we maintain the fiscal discipline required to be able to respond to these issues even with the added borrowing room, the fiscal strategy will be revised to ensure that at least $160 million in borrowing authority is retained going into the 18th Assembly. This will provide sufficient flexibility to allow the 18th Assembly to undertake targeted projects, and participate in the Build Canada Plan and other critical projects like Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal while also providing the financial capacity to respond to any further one-time revenue or expenditure shocks.

Mr. Speaker, the increase to the borrowing limit does not however address the fiscal issues facing the Government. Over the next five years, revenues are forecasted to be flat growing by only 0.44% over the next four years or about 0.1% per year. There are limited options available to raise revenues from own sources in the short term, without impacting the cost of living or curtailing our economic growth potential. Furthermore, if the increased borrowing limit is used to enhance programs and services through our Operations and Maintenance budget, the GNWT may be forced to cut spending in other areas in order to finance the debt service payments associated with this debt.

It is therefore important to start thinking about the fiscal parameters to guide the development of the fiscal strategy to be considered by the 18th Legislative Assembly. This includes linking net operations and maintenance expenditure growth with the growth in the Territorial Formula Financing Grant. This will likely require the Government to undertake reductions to operating expenditures to ensure we can continue to finance at least 50 percent of our capital expenditures with operating surpluses and start to return the Government to a cash surplus position.
As we move into 2015, there are signs that some parts of the NWT economy are beginning a modest recovery from the financial and economic crisis, but our current real Gross Domestic Product remains 25% below its pre-recession peak in 2007.

More importantly, Mr. Speaker, the NWT has experienced no population growth for several years. We have initiated steps to address this trend and start growing the NWT population. We will continue to pursue our population growth strategy to increase the NWT population and work with the mining industry and other business sectors to encourage rotational non-resident workers to reside in the NWT.

Till these efforts show success our fiscal capacity will continue to be vulnerable due to declining revenues from Canada under Territorial Formula Financing.

An adequate borrowing limit based on affordability, while critical, will not mean the fiscal challenges of this Assembly or the next will disappear.

Even though the increased limit allows us to invest in key infrastructure priorities, we still need to maintain control of expenditures to adhere to the Fiscal Responsibility Policy and maintain a fiscally sustainable operation. This government secured an increase in our borrowing limit and we have begun planning on potential projects to responsibly increase economic growth and attract investment and people to our territory. The final decision on what projects to invest in to secure our economic future belongs to the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Our fiscal challenges are not unique and we will not be shrinking from them. Recognizing our reality prepares us for the tough choices we will have to make now and in the future.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 28, 2015) – The Slave River Rapids, wildlife viewing opportunities and a diverse landscape have earned Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park near Fort Smith recognition by Explore Magazine as one of the Top 25 Campsites in Canada.

“As this year’s camping season begins, it is great to see the NWT’s parks system garnering national coverage and attention,” says Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay. “This recognition will serve to attract even more visitors to our spectacular facilities as well as our communities and is a tribute to the great team that keeps the park running, the community’s support for it and its beautiful location.”

Explore Magazine is in its 34th year of publication.  It has a readership of over 500,000 and is the number one selling outdoor magazine on Canadian newsstands.

In its article featuring Queen Elizabeth Territorial Park, the magazine highlighted paddling the world-class whitewater of Slave River, hiking along the riverside trail and venturing into Wood Buffalo National Park among the many opportunities and activities available to visitors.

 Media inquiries:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: drew_williams@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (May 27, 2015) – Nine Northwest Territories residents were honoured this morning as inductees into the Education Hall of Fame, which recognizes the important and lasting contributions of those dedicated to education in the North.

“Healthy, educated people is a goal of this Assembly and the foundation of a happy and successful life,” said Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jackson Lafferty. “Inductees to the Education Hall of Fame have all made positive and lasting impressions on the lives of countless NWT residents, and I thank them for their commitment and passion for education.”The Education Hall of Fame identifies and celebrates outstanding commitment to education in the territory from educators, Elders, administrators, volunteers, coaches, students, advocates, sponsors and businesses. A selection committee chose inductees from eight nomination categories with a ninth inductee chosen to receive the Minister’s Choice Award.

The 2015 Education Hall of Fame inductees are:

• Lea Lamoureux – Significant contribution to attendance initiatives in schools
• Ted Blondin – Significant contribution to student learning by an Elder
• Doris Camsell – Significant contribution to traditional learning, language and culture in schools
• Dean MacInnis – Significant contribution to safe and caring environments for students
• Reanna Erasmus – Significant contribution to early childhood program support and inclusive education
• Bruce Green – Significant contribution to innovative approaches to teaching and learning
• Carole Bachand – Significant contribution to excellence in teaching and supporting literacy
• Marja Van Nieuwenhuyzen – Significant contribution to excellence in teaching and supporting numeracy
• Michel Louis Rabesca – Minister’s choice

More information on the 2015 inductees is available in this backgrounder.

Media inquiries:

Tami Johnson
Education, Culture and Employment
Phone: (867) 920-6147
Email: tami_johnson@gov.nt.ca

Mr. Speaker, resource development has long been the foundation of our territory’s economy.

Our rich mining and oil and gas sectors have generated significant employment, skill development and wealth. Vital economic infrastructure that continues to advance economic growth in other sectors was, in many cases, first built to support resource development.

We now have locally owned and operated airlines, hotels, restaurants, construction firms, telecommunications and logistics companies, and service and supply industries. They are evidence of the capacity of Northern and Aboriginally-owned businesses to leverage investments from resource development and to participate and invest fully in the NWT’s economy as successful business owners, operators and investors.

Our government has never veered from the assertion that the NWT is open for business to socially and environmentally-responsible companies that are willing to invest and work with us to ensure benefits from sustainable development accrue to the Northern economy and our residents; and to respect and protect the lands, water and environment to which our people and their communities are intrinsically tied.

Last week, the National Energy Board and the NWT Geological Survey confirmed what we have known for many years. There is significant oil and gas potential in the Sahtu. Developing this potential will produce jobs and business opportunities for residents in this region and resource royalties to support investments across the NWT.

The announcement validates the GNWT’s ongoing work to complete our territory’s first-ever Call Cycle for Oil and Gas Exploration Rights – and to advance the development of an Oil and Gas Strategy that will serve to guide oil and gas development in our territory well into the future.

Exploration and development has slowed. But we are using this opportunity to define the parameters that NWT residents feel are appropriate to both support and protect their families and communities for the future; and by providing a level of certainty and awareness required by proponents of major projects – we are working to renew interest and confidence in our investment climate.

In part, this is the work that was begun several years ago when our government first started looking at hydraulic fracturing and studying best practices related to it. Following devolution, that work further informed the development of new filing regulations for applications for hydraulic fracturing operations in our territory. We did this together and in recent months we have visited communities to talk about how those regulations would enhance and become part of our regulatory system.

Mr. Speaker, this work and dialogue is not about deciding if hydraulic fracturing will take place in the NWT. In fact, our devolution agreement already puts this decision in the hands of NWT residents every time a project is proposed.

Public boards established under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act set the terms of water licences and land use permits. The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board conducts environmental assessments and environmental impact reviews in the Mackenzie Valley, while boards established under the land claim screen and assess development proposals in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The various boards and regulatory agencies in the NWT hold public hearings and receive submissions from members of the public, as well as technical submissions from the GNWT. These arms-length boards look at each application, consider all of the circumstances, and make well-informed decisions.

It is a system that continues to evolve and has been proven effective in ensuring benefits from the development that has already occurred in our territory flow to NWT residents and businesses. Ours is an integrated and comprehensive process that ensures resource development decisions in the NWT are made in the public interest informed by appropriate scientific and technical information, best practices, traditional knowledge and public input. It is one based in federal and territorial law as well as in obligations established in settled land claims and self-government agreements.

We recognize that our regulatory system, like hydraulic fracturing itself, is detailed and can be a source of uncertainty. We can and will address this with a focus on increasing the knowledge, understanding and awareness of both legislated and industry processes that will be key to the responsible development of our economy into the future.

Hydraulic fracturing technologies have advanced greatly in recent years, as have the public accountabilities demanded from companies who incorporate this development process. Today, we are confident that regions like the Sahtu and the Beaufort Delta can realize the benefits of their oil and gas resources without harm to the environment and our proposed regulations will help make sure of that.

We have heard from the public and the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure that more time is needed to review the proposed regulations. We are committed to extending the engagement period until the end of August and beyond, if necessary.

That will give us more time to engage with NWT residents and offer us an opportunity, this summer, to meet and discuss our work in greater detail during the many gatherings and Assemblies that will take place.

Mr. Speaker, the GNWT has taken the first step beyond simply mirroring the federal requirements that we have inherited – and to making the NWT regulatory system our own.

For many years, and through many processes, NWT residents have told us that they place a great deal of value on the land and environment. They have stressed the need for baseline surface and groundwater information, public disclosure, measures to address air quality, and enhanced reporting. The proposed hydraulic fracturing filing regulations address these priorities and make expectations clear.

Our government will take the time it needs to get the right rules in place for managing oil and gas development in our territory. We will continue to listen to Members, the public and Aboriginal governments, as well as business and industry. Once we are satisfied that we have the right solution, we are prepared to move forward with filing regulations that will provide proponents a greater understanding of expectations and requirement before they prepare and submit applications. Should legislative change be necessary to further strengthen regulatory processes in this area, we are prepared to make recommendations for the consideration of the 18th Legislative Assembly.

This important step demonstrates that we are serious about unlocking oil and gas potential in the territory and ensuring that development is conducted in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

It will not result in a sudden and unmanageable increase in exploration and development. But they will set the stage for us to realize a future – that like our past – is founded on the responsible and measured development of our territory’s vast resource wealth.

For the last four years, the 17th Legislative Assembly has proudly held a vision of a strong, prosperous and environmentally sustainable Northwest Territories that all residents, families and communities can benefit from.

Our government has long held that the economy and the environment are linked. That understanding is set out in the Sustainable Development Policy that we put into place in 1990. It is reflected in the Land Use and Sustainability Framework that we released last year and it is enshrined in our regulatory system. We want development, but we want development the right way, the responsible way that creates sustainable prosperity for our children and our grandchildren. But we cannot have prosperity without an economy that provides jobs and economic opportunities for people and revenues to our government to invest in infrastructure and deliver programs and services that support our residents to be healthy, educated and self-sufficient.

This is the work that we have and continue to be committed to realizing today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome Members back to the continuation of the Fifth Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly. We have been working together for almost four years now on our vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.
We have made progress on that vision in our time together, and I thank Members for their support and guidance on the many projects and initiatives we have successfully introduced.

As a government, we are committed to what is best for the people of the entire Northwest Territories. Hearing from Members in this Chamber about the views, values and priorities of the people they represent is one way we make sure our initiatives and decisions reflect what Northerners want and need.

As I have said throughout our term, the Northwest Territories has the potential to be an engine of economic growth for this country. We have the potential to be a net contributor to this nation, not to be drawing upon it for support.

That is a goal worth striving for, the goal of a territory rich in jobs and opportunities for all its residents, with the financial means to pay its own way and the authority to make its own decisions about its future.

Creating a strong, sustainable, prosperous North is about choices, Mr. Speaker. While I have often said that the Northwest Territories has great potential and a bright future, that future is based on making realistic choices.

We need a strong and diversified economy to have the kind of Northwest Territories we envision. Growing that economy has to start with the advantages we enjoy. Those advantages include the ingenuity and ideas of the hard working people who live here. They also include the wealth of natural resources the Northwest Territories has been blessed with.

Economic and social development in this territory have long depended on resource development. For decades, mining in the North Slave, South Slave and Sahtu gave Northerners jobs and literally built our communities. Oil and gas development has done the same for people and communities in the Mackenzie Delta and the Sahtu.

We all know that resource development can be a mixed blessing. None of us who sit in this building only a few kilometres from the former Giant Mine site can forget the potential downside of resource development that is not well managed.

That is why devolution is so important to us, Mr. Speaker. Devolution means Northerners making decisions about how to protect our land and environment and responsibly develop its resources. It means taking our time and applying made-in-the-North solutions that reflect Northern priorities and values to resource management. Devolution means not having to make the mistakes of the past again.

We have learned from the past, and we have studied the best examples of responsible, sustainable development from around the world. The path to jobs and prosperity for Northerners lies in embracing our future and the natural advantages we enjoy. It does not lie in turning our backs on the legacy Northerners have been given in the hopes we can find some other basis for a strong economy and prosperous future.

But while our future is bright, Mr. Speaker, we cannot make the mistake of believing that it is inevitable. Our natural resource wealth cannot be transformed into prosperity for Northerners if we cannot develop it and move it to market.

That means making some deliberate and strategic choices about the path forward, Mr. Speaker. It means recognizing the advantages we possess, but also addressing the challenges that we need to overcome.

It means investing in our people so they have the skills and training they need for jobs in newly vibrant industries.

It means research and development to better understand the Northwest Territories resource base and the latest best practices from around the world for responsibly developing them.

It means refining and improving the regulatory system we inherited as part of devolution and making sure it gives us the tools we need to responsibly and safely manage resource development according to Northern values and priorities.

It means securing the fiscal capacity and flexibility to invest strategically in the energy, communications and transportation infrastructure that will help the Northwest Territories compete in today’s global marketplace and allow us to grow our economy, providing long-term jobs for our residents and revenues for Northern governments.

It means strengthening our partnerships with Aboriginal and other governments, identifying the common priorities we can work together to pursue in the best interests of all Northwest Territories residents.

As we head towards the end of the 17th Assembly, we continue to make progress on our priorities and enjoy successes. In the area of partnerships, we were pleased to have the Kátł’odeeche First Nation become a signatory to the Devolution Agreement in March. We recently concluded an intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and an agreement on capacity building for staff with the Gwich’in Tribal Council. Nationally, the Northwest Territories has taken a lead role in chairing the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group and supporting the National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which I attended along with Minister Ramsay.

In the area of the environment, Minister Miltenberger and I had the privilege of signing the Transboundary Water Management Agreement with the Government of Alberta in March. This agreement, many years in the making, is one of the first agreements of its type anywhere in the world and will ensure that decisions about water use in our two jurisdictions consider the needs of the ecosystem first.

Minister Miltenberger and I also represented the Northwest Territories at the recent Quebec Summit on Climate Change in April. Along with Nunavut and Yukon, we communicated the importance of addressing this issue, particularly in the North, while not impacting the high cost of living in the North, undermining food security or threatening emerging economies.

We continue to take steps to build a strong, well managed economy that creates sustainable benefits for Northerners. That work includes implementing the Economic Opportunities Strategy and Mineral Development Strategy and finalizing an Oil and Gas Strategy. It includes taking action on the high cost of energy and continuing to promote population growth in the Northwest Territories. We also continue to take steps to refine and improve the legislation transferred to our government a year ago, ensuring we have a strong system for managing development in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Fiscally, we were pleased to announce last month that the Government of the Northwest Territories has successfully negotiated a second increase in the federal borrowing limit and agreement to review the definition of self-financing debt. Our borrowing limit now stands at $1.3 billion dollars, up from the $575 million dollar limit we had at the start of this Assembly, when we identified increasing the limit as a priority.

This increase in our borrowing limit gives the Government of the Northwest Territories increased flexibility to invest in much needed infrastructure that will support the responsible development of the Northwest Territories and its economy and bring down the cost of living for communities and residents. The decision reflects this territory’s economic potential and recognizes our disciplined fiscal management.

We need to continue to exercise discipline in our spending decisions, even with this new borrowing limit. Before we make any spending commitments, there are some parameters that we all need to recognize. The first one is that we should only be considering strategic investments designed to support long-term economic growth for the territory, such as investments in public infrastructure.

Ensuring our territory has the energy, transportation and communications infrastructure business and industry need to be competitive in the North needs to be a priority. That investment will pay off in a strong and diversified economy that provides jobs and services to residents, while growing the Northwest Territories corporate tax base. Increased investment in public infrastructure will also continue to make our territory and communities an attractive and sustainable choice for current and new residents and help lower living costs.

The other parameter we need to recognize is that we cannot borrow to fund ongoing program and service delivery. While the desire to maintain existing programs and services or establish new ones might be strong, we can only do so if we have the revenues to pay for them. Going into debt to fund operations is not sustainable and must be avoided at all costs.

While our economic prospects are good as a territory, we have to face the fact that our economic growth is still slow, a result of the global economic slowdown several years ago and the more recent drop in world oil prices. That will continue to limit our revenues and our ability to pay for our operations. We will all be required to take a hard look at our books and work together to align our expenditures to our revenues, both for the remainder of this Assembly and into the next one.

We need to be diligent and follow our normal planning processes. Decisions on new investments will be made as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories normal planning processes and will include discussions with Members of the Legislative Assembly and other stakeholders.

Mr. Speaker, politicians are often called decision-makers, but choosers might be another way to put that. Faced with an array of possibilities and options, it is our responsibility to make wise and prudent choices based on our understanding of what will best match the needs, wishes and priorities of the people we represent.

Sometimes the choices are hard, even unpleasant, but the choices still have to be made. Where the best path is unclear, it is up to us to study the options, debate them in the Assembly and make a reasoned decision in the best interests of our territory and its residents.

While we are entering the final months of our term, the choices will continue and their impact will continue to be seen now and into the term of the next Assembly. It is up to us to make the best choices we can for the long term future of our government and the territory and I look forward to continuing to debate those choices with Members here in this House.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to advise Members of the passing of Mr. George Braden this past Monday in Ottawa.

Mr. Braden was a long time Northerner who graduated from Sir John Franklin Territorial High School before studying political science at the University of Alberta and Dalhousie University.

From 1977 to 1979, Mr. Braden was an advisor to the Honourable Bud Drury, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Constitutional Development in the Northwest Territories. In 1979 he was elected to the 9th Legislative Assembly as the Member for Yellowknife North.

The Assembly of 1979 was in transition. While all its Members were elected, the federally appointed Commissioner still had a direct role in the day-to-day administration of the Government of the Northwest Territories and chaired Cabinet meetings, which then included only three Members of the Legislative Assembly.

The number of Members of the Legislative Assembly appointed to Cabinet expanded to seven at the beginning of the 9th Assembly, with Mr. Braden chosen as one of its Members. In 1980, Mr. Braden was selected by his colleagues to be the Leader of the Elected Executive, a position that came to be known, first, as Government Leader and later as Premier.

As Leader of the Elected Executive, Mr. Braden continued the work he had begun with Mr. Drury of bringing increased decision making power to the North and promoting responsible government by Northerners for Northerners. Devolution of responsibility for land and resources during this Assembly was the most recent example of how this work continues.

As well as Leader of the Elected Executive, Mr. Braden also held portfolios as Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Justice and Public Services, Minister of Priorities and Planning and Minister for the Status of Women.

During his time in government, Mr. Braden also began efforts to promote a new recognition of the Northwest Territories at the national level and a more prominent role in Confederation. This included efforts to win a seat for the Northwest Territories at First Ministers conferences and his leadership of this government’s lobbying for Aboriginal rights to be included in Section 35 of the Constitution. In fact, NWT Days first originated with Mr. Braden, when he and all 22 Members of the Legislative Assembly decided to fly to Ottawa during the debates on the patriation of the Constitution to lobby for the recognition of Aboriginal rights.

Mr. Braden continued his work to promote the Northwest Territories and advance its interests after he left office in 1983. This included several years representing the Government of the Northwest Territories as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in our Ottawa office, where he worked to assert this government’s role as a major participant at the international level and increase its official contacts with provincial governments and other national institutions.

Mr. Braden was also Commissioner of the Northwest Territories Expo ’86 Pavilion, staffed entirely by Northwest Territories residents and promoting the fur industry, serving country food and hosting 1.5 million visitors over six months.

In recent years, Mr. Braden served as senior policy advisor to Nunavut Senator Dennis Patterson, himself a former Legislative colleague and past Premier of the Northwest Territories. He continued to be a constant promoter of the North and its potential and was a reliable advisor in Ottawa for many visiting Northwest Territories politicians, senior officials and other leaders.

Mr. Braden will be remembered not just as our first Premier, Mr. Speaker, but as one of Canada’s nation builders. He has earned this recognition for both his vision and leadership in guiding this territory along the path towards responsible Northern government and his support for placing Aboriginal rights in the Canadian Constitution. I am honoured to stand here today as Premier, and as his successor, to continue the work he dedicated much of his life to.

A book of condolences has been set up in the Great Hall beside a portrait of George that also depicts the Northwest Territories Expo ’86 Pavilion, a project very close to his heart. I welcome all members of the public to come and sign the book and offer their own memories of this great Northerner.

Mr. Braden was a true champion for the Northwest Territories and we have lost a good friend and contemporary this week, Mr. Speaker. Many of us knew and worked with George and with his brother, Bill, himself a two-term Member of this Assembly. His mother Esther is also well-known to many of us as a dedicated community builder. I invite Members to join with me in offering our profound condolences to his widow, Lise Beaudry-Braden, Esther, his sister Sandra, brothers Bill, Max and Pat and their families, represented today by his niece Carmen, on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories.

I would now ask Members to rise with me and observe a moment of silence in memory of Mr. Braden and his contributions to this territory and its people.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

YELLOWKNIFE (May 27, 2015) – Consistent with the fire ban implemented by the City of Yellowknife, a fire ban is in effect for Fred Henne and Yellowknife River Territorial Parks effective immediately.

Use of camp stoves and enclosed barbecues is permitted. Any device that uses propane to supply a burner for heating and or cooking is also permitted; such devices must be used within or on top of a fire pit in a campsite or wayside park.

Visit www.nwtfire.com  for more information on fire conditions within the NWT. Report smoke or fire to 1-877-NWT-FIRE (698-3473). Residents should contact their municipalities for information on fire bans within community limits.

Media inquiries:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: Drew_Williams@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (May 27, 2015) – Premier Bob McLeod offered his condolences to Ms. Lise Beaudry-Braden and the family and friends of Mr. George Braden today on news of his passing.

Mr. Braden was first elected to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly as the Member for Yellowknife North in 1979. At the time of his election, the federally appointed Commissioner still had an active role in administering the Government of the Northwest Territories and chaired meetings of the Executive Council, which continued to include appointed members. Mr. Braden became one of the first elected MLAs to serve on the Executive Council of the 9th Assembly and was later selected by his colleagues to become the first Leader of the Elected Executive, a position that later became known as Government Leader and, now, Premier.

“Mr. Braden was a champion for responsible government in the Northwest Territories and blazed the trail we continue to follow,” said Premier McLeod. “His quiet leadership and diplomacy was instrumental in seeing political power in the Northwest Territories transfer from unelected federal officials to the elected representatives of the people and which culminated most recently in the devolution of responsibility for public land and resources in this government.”

As well as Government Leader, Mr. Braden served as Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Justice and Public Services, Minister of Priorities and Planning, Minister for the Status of Women and was co-chair of the NWT Special Committee on the Constitution, which argued for the recognition of Aboriginal rights in Section 35 of the Constitution.

Mr. Braden was Commissioner of the successful NWT pavilion at Expo ’86 and represented the NWT at the federal level as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs following his term in office.

“Throughout his lifetime career as a politician and public servant, Mr. Braden was committed to the development of the Northwest Territories and defender of its interests,” said Premier McLeod. “The Northwest Territories had a good friend in him and I am sorry to hear of his passing.”

A public book of condolences has been placed in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife, where members of the public can offer their own thoughts to the Braden family.

Media inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca

Yellowknife (May 26, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) supports the Northwest Territories Power Corporation’s (NTPC) decision to submit a proposal in the upcoming competitive process for the Hay River electrical utility franchise.

On May 25, 2015, Hay River Town Council approved a decision to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Hay River electrical franchise. The  NTPC Board of Directors had previously approached the GNWT for support to participate in this anticipated competitive process. The GNWT supports the Town of Hay River’s process and the participation of NTPC in that process. 

“It is important that every opportunity to reduce the cost of living and the costs to local businesses in Hay River is pursued,” said Premier Bob McLeod, Chair of the Ministerial Energy Coordinating and Climate-Change Committee. “The GNWT believes the RFP process initiated by the Town of Hay River could potentially lead to lower electricity rates, and therefore supports NTPC’s participation.”

“We believe that this competitive process has the potential for electricity rate reductions for the residents of Hay River” stated J. Michael. Miltenberger, Minister of Finance as well as Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. “Should NTPC be successful in this process, there would be no material impacts with respect to the fiscal position of the Government of the Northwest Territories.”

Under the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, the Town of Hay River has exercised their right to seek proposals for the provision of electricity services in Hay River. NTPC intends to submit a proposal in response to the RFP. Expanding their sales base and improving upon their economies of scale is consistent with the strategic objectives of NTPC, as established by the NTPC Board of Directors.

Pursuing opportunities to reduce the cost of living is consistent with the priorities of the 17th Legislative Assembly, including a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices, and effective and efficient government.

Media inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Government of the NWT
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (May 22, 2015) – Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Jackson Lafferty has announced improvements to the licensed child care programs inspection process.

“The Department is always looking for ways to improve the systems we have in place,” said Minister Lafferty. “Enhancing the inspection system will increase transparency and provide parents with valuable information to make informed choices about their child care options.”

ECE has introduced a 3-tiered risk-based  system and online posting of inspection summary information for each licenced child care program in the NWT based on its  review of the inspection system. Information from licensing inspections completed after April 1, 2015 will now be posted to ECE’s website in a searchable format.

These improvements are part of the ongoing work by the Departments of Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment on the Right from the Start Early Childhood Development Framework and Action Plan. Changes address Action 6 of the Action Plan to improve the quality of licensed early childhood education and care programs, supporting the goals of the Framework.

“We have communicated with all licensed child care programs on the changes, and also provided them information to share with parents,” stated Minister Lafferty.

Only six other jurisdictions in Canada provide online child care inspection summaries, putting NWT among the lead. The new inspection system came into effect as of April 1, 2015, with information on all new inspections now available online.

For detailed information please visit: rightfromthestart.ca or www.ece.gov.nt.ca.

Media inquiries:

Tami Johnson
Education, Culture and Employment
Tel: 867-920-6147
Email:  tami_johnson@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (May 15, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is inviting residents to talk about ways to grow the NWT’s agriculture sector.

A series of information-gathering sessions are being held in regional centres to help guide the development of an agriculture strategy for the NWT and to ensure it reflects the priorities of NWT residents and creates the economic opportunities this growing sector can provide for them.

“From small community gardens to commercial greenhouses and regulated egg production, our residents have shown us they are interested in participating in agriculture,” says Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay. “We want to support their vision with informed government actions and policy that will advance the increased production of fresh, healthy and more affordable locally-grown food choices.”

The need for an agriculture strategy was highlighted in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy released in 2013.

Motivated by high food costs, positive contributions to lifestyles, product diversity and increased awareness of nutritional values, participation in local food production is increasing in almost all NWT communities.

For more information, visit www.iti.gov.nt.ca/agriculture

Media inquiries:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: drew_williams@gov.nt.ca

Yellowknife (May 14, 2015) – The Government of the Northwest Territories has successfully completed the winter road resupply of fuel to nine communities served by the Department of Public Works and Services Fuel Services Division. A decline in the market cost of fuel made it possible for the department to reduce prices in the communities that receive fuel products via the winter road system.

Winter resupply communities saw fuel prices drop as much as 37 cents per litre.   The well-constructed and maintained winter road systems contributed to the efficient transportation of fuel. 

“This year we were able to purchase fuel products at lower prices and our excellent winter roads helped us get the fuel to our communities efficiently,” said Minister of Public Works and Services Tom Beaulieu. “These lower fuel prices will provide immediate benefits to our residents living in communities served by Public Works and Services’ Petroleum Products Program.”

Reducing energy costs is one of the priorities of the Government of the Northwest Territories and the department of Public Works and Services.  A focus on renewable and alternative energy solutions, as well as government-wide policies to encourage responsible energy consumption, remains key to achieving a lower cost of living and the vision of an environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories.

 Media Inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca

Backgrounder – Fuel Price Changes

Jan. 1, 2015 Price on

May 4, 2015 Total reduction Whatì (Heating Fuel)

Whatì (Diesel Motive)

Whatì (Gasoline) $1.74

$1.88

$1.72 $1.38

$1.52

$1.51 -$0.36

-$0.36

-$0.21 Gameti (Heating Fuel)

Gameti (Diesel Motive)

Gameti (Gasoline) $1.84

$1.98

$1.85 $1.47

$1.61

$1.62 -$0.37

-$0.37

-$0.23 Wekweeti (Heating Fuel)

Wekweeti (Diesel Motive)

Wekweeti (Gasoline) $1.99

$2.18

$1.99 $1.76

$1.92

$1.91 -$0.23

-$0.26

-$0.08 Jean Marie River (Heating Fuel)

Jean Marie River (Diesel Motive)

Jean Marie River (Gasoline) $1.60

$1.74

$1.52 $1.32

$1.46

$1.44 -$0.28

-$0.28

-$0.08 Nahanni Butte (Heating Fuel)

Nahanni Butte (Diesel Motive)

Nahanni Butte (Gasoline) $1.73

$1.86

$1.70 $1.46

$1.59

$1.59 -$0.27

-$0.27

-$0.11 Wrigley (Heating Fuel)

Wrigley (Diesel Motive)

Wrigley (Gasoline) $1.61

$1.75

$1.68 $1.42

$1.56

$1.49 -$0.19

-$0.19

-$0.19 Délįne (Gasoline) $1.78 $1.60 -$0.18 Trout Lake (Heating Fuel)

Trout Lake (Diesel Motive)

Trout Lake (Gasoline) $1.84

$1.90

$1.74 $1.66

$1.71

$1.62 -$0.18

-$0.19

-$0.12 Tulita (Gasoline) $1.87 $1.76 -$0.11

YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2015) – The 2015 camping season will officially begin this weekend as most Northwest Territories campgrounds open to the public.  Parks in the Beaufort-Delta Region near Inuvik will open on Monday, June 1st.

“People travel from across Canada and around the world to enjoy the natural beauty and surroundings of the award-winning word-class park system that exists in our backyard,” Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay notes.  “From thundering waterfalls to serene hiking trails and abundant wildlife and scenery, our parks are some of the most impressive tourist attractions in the country, but they also contribute enormously to the quality of life that we enjoy here in Canada’s North.”

NWT campgrounds attracted over 24,000 campers last year.  The Government of the Northwest Territories has committed to investing $2.5 million in upgrading and maintaining NWT parks infrastructure this year.

Planned improvements include new hiking trails in the Gwich’in Territorial Park and improvements to Prelude Lake’s marina and shoreline.

There is a new loop for campers to enjoy at the Fred Henne Park in Yellowknife and new shower buildings in the Hay River Territorial Park.  Beach safety programs, begun last year, will be continued at both of these facilities.

Media inquiries:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: drew_williams@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (May 14, 2015) – The men and women who will staff many of the NWT’s visitor information centres met last week in Inuvik to participate in interactive training.  The two-day skills development workshop included discussions and training on customer service, centre operations and the creation of ongoing interpretive programs for visitors.

“These important individuals are the NWT’s face to the world,” says Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) David Ramsay. “Staff at our visitor centres are often the first point of contact for tourists travelling to the Northwest Territories.  It is their actions and the facilities they operate that give character to the warmth of our northern welcome. The first impressions they provide set the stage for a positive and memorable travel experience in the NWT.”

About 15 participants took part in the workshop, including staff from Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Yellowknife, Tsiigehtchic, Inuvik and Fort McPherson, as well as staff from Dawson City, Yukon.

The training was sponsored by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment with support from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor). Tourism training and readiness opportunities that let staff learn from best practices and their counterparts across the territory are an essential pillar in developing a vibrant tourism environment and ensure continued positive growth in the NWT’s front-line tourism product.

Investments in the tourism sector reflect the 17th Assembly’s goal to promote a diversified economy that will provide all communities with opportunities and choices.

Media inquiries:

Drew Williams
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: drew_williams@gov.nt.ca

YELLOWKNIFE (May 12, 2015) – The Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG), composed of provincial and territorial Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and National Aboriginal Organization (NAO) Leaders, met in Yellowknife today to review progress and explore future opportunities to be advanced in the priority areas of education, economic development, housing, ending violence against Aboriginal women and girls, disaster mitigation and emergency management in Aboriginal communities.

Ministers and NAO Leaders discussed the outcomes of the first National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls held in Ottawa on February 27, 2015. Ministers and NAO Leaders called on the federal government to join in the development, implementation and funding of a prevention and awareness campaign aimed at ending violence against Aboriginal women and girls.  Delivering this campaign was a key outcome from the National Roundtable. Manitoba will also host in fall 2015 an inaugural meeting for law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim services, to explore best practices and better coordinate and share information on policing and justice responses to these cases. Ministers and NAO Leaders continued to support the NAO Leaders’ call on the federal government to hold a National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls.

Acknowledging that Aboriginal women continue to face barriers to gender equality, education and employability, Ministers and NAO Leaders discussed and directed continued development of a Socio-Economic Action Plan for Aboriginal Women.

Ministers and NAO Leaders also discussed the disproportionate number of Aboriginal children in care. The AAWG recognizes the important work being done by the working group on Aboriginal children in care and acknowledged the need for all governments to work in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples and communities to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care across the country.

Ministers and NAO Leaders endorsed continued co-operation to advance activities supporting First Nations (regardless of status or residency), Inuit and Métis communities, and renewed the invitation to the federal government to be a formal partner with AAWG to take action in building safe, vibrant and healthy communities and addressing socio-economic gaps. Ministers and NAO leaders noted the upcoming federal election presents an opportunity for all Canadians to engage candidates on key issues facing Aboriginal peoples.

The discussion and recommendations from today’s meeting will be shared with Premiers during the next meeting of Premiers and NAO Leaders on July 14-15, 2015, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ministers and NAO Leaders agreed to meet again in Early 2016 to review progress on these activities.

For more information, please see the Backgrounder.

Contact:                  

Roya Grinsted
Communications Officer
Office of the Premier/Cabinet
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 669-2308
Email: Roya_Grinsted@gov.nt.ca

Quotes:

“NWAC is pleased to see that critical issues such as violence, education, housing, economic development, disaster mitigation and Aboriginal children in care are being addressed by the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group (AAWG).  Continued efforts and collaboration between all levels of government –Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) and National Aboriginal Organizations (NAOs) — is urgently needed to address the high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and for them to achieve equality with that of their Canadian counterparts.  The issue of violence against Aboriginal women is so complex that we need a comprehensive strategic approach and not the piecemeal band-aid solutions of the past if we are to address the grave violation of the basic human rights of aboriginal women and girls.”

Native Women’s Association of Canada, Interim President, Dr. Dawn Harvard

“The AAWG provides an ongoing intergovernmental forum for addressing issues of critical importance to Aboriginal peoples. It is important for us to keep applying ourselves to the task at hand and to create a collaborative environment that will lead to tangible results. I am pleased with progress on economic development and education and look forward to tackling issues related to improving the child welfare system and violence against children and women.”

Métis National Council Vice-President, David Chartrand

“It is imperative for us to work with the Provinces and Territories to ensure that the Metis people within the homeland are a part of solutions moving forward and that a Metis specific process will ensure the success of the collaborative initiatives. The AAWG gives us the opportunity to move forward with that focus.”

Women of the Métis Nation President, Melanie Omeniho

“The social and economic costs of maintaining the status quo costs First Nations and all Canadians, with First Nations children paying the highest price.  We can and must do better.  The focus must be on outcomes.  I told the Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs and Premiers in attendance that we need to reframe the work to create results for our peoples.  New investments and action are needed to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians – to support Indigenous languages, to have access to adequate housing, to prevent violence against women and girls and to keep our children in safe and supportive homes and out of the child welfare system.  We agreed here that closing the gap is a priority for all of us and I look forward to the hard work of making that a reality.”

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde

“On behalf of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and our Board of Directors, I would like to acknowledge the ongoing work and commitment of the AAWG to advancing the rights of and opportunities for Indigenous people in Canada.  I was pleased to provide remarks about the importance of appropriate and accessible education for our Inuit communities. I was also proud to update the AAWG on the progress of ITK’s Amaujaq National Centre for Inuit Education’s strategy ‘First Canadians, Canadians First’ working to get Inuit children to school every day, on time, well-rested and ready to learn”

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President, Terry Audla

“In the Northwest Territories our experience is that we are stronger and more successful when we work together as partners. This has been at the foundation of our commitment to engage with Aboriginal governments and organizations in the spirit of respect, recognition and responsibility. As the Chair of the Aboriginal Affairs Working Group, I am encouraged by the progress we have made and the commitment of all provinces, territories and National Aboriginal Organizations to engage in collaborative and respectful dialogue. The Aboriginal Affairs Working Group will continue to work in partnership to develop solutions and build on successes that help to  improve the well-being of Aboriginal peoples across Canada.”

Honorable Bob McLeod, Premier and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Northwest Territories

“The Aboriginal Affairs Working Group continues to be a productive and constructive venue for dialogue and I greatly appreciate the collaboration and leadership shown by the provinces and territories, as well as from the other National Aboriginal Organizations over the past six years. There is much work ahead for all of us in addressing Canada’s greatest injustice, the denial of the rights of Aboriginal Peoples. Working together, we can make a difference.”

National Chief Betty Ann Lavallee, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples