Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, climate change is one of the most complex and farreaching issues facing the Northwest Territories today. Despite being responsible for less than 0.2 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, the Northwest Territories is experiencing rates of climate warming up to four times faster than the rest of Canada. This affects all aspects of our way of life. It is a serious threat to the economy, our socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental health and wellness of residents. We know we must act now, and we must act decisively, and I am pleased to say that the Government of the Northwest Territories is making real progress as you can see by our response to climate change in the NWT annual report.
In 20212022, the Government of the Northwest Territories made significant progress on implementing actions from our climate change action plan and energy action plan, and, additionally, we facilitated four NWT climate change council meetings with representatives from Indigenous and community governments and the Government of the Northwest Territories to identify key issues and find solutions for the Northwest Territories.
The Government of the Northwest Territories also initiated the development of the new 20222025 Energy Action Plan that will guide the Northwest Territories' lower carbon energy transition over the next three years.
Mr. Speaker, together with Indigenous leadership and with the Yukon and Nunavut, we released the pannorthern leaders' statement on climate change at the northern Premiers forum in Whitehorse this past May. This statement illustrated the three territories' unique situation and sends a clear message about the need for federal support. We will bring Northwest Territories climate change issues and perspectives to the world in November when our officials attend COP 27 in Egypt. I am proud to say the Northwest Territories delegation will include Indigenous representation from both the climate change council as well as a youth representative. They will be presenting with the Government of the Northwest Territories and Yukon government at the Canada Pavilion to highlight climate changes in the North.
Moving into 2023, we will build on our momentum. The climate change teams are already reaching out to targeted stakeholders and the public to continue the work on how climate change is affecting communities on the ground. This engagement will inform our next steps, including developing the next Climate Change Strategic Framework Action Plan, and will focus on climate change adaptation risks and opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, climate change is a priority for me, for my family, my community, and this government. It has been. I am proud of the progress made on addressing climate change in the North, guided by the Climate Change Strategic Framework, 2030 Energy Strategy, and the Northwest Territories Carbon Tax. We are on pace to make progress on almost every funded commitment under the climate change action plan by the end of 2023.
At times, the changes we are observing in our environment can seem overwhelming. But as Northerners we are resilient and we will continue to make progress together as we address these challenges. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
