Mr. Speaker, a year ago, I delivered the first Sessional Statement of the 20th Legislative Assembly. We had not yet established our collective priorities, but we had begun to establish the relationship essential to the work of consensus government, which continue to shape our efforts today.
When I presented my candidacy for Premier, I spoke to a vision of a thriving and prosperous NWT, 50 years in the future, built through partnership and collaborative governance with Indigenous governments. This is the foundation of my hope and of the optimism and positivity I strive to bring to the Office of Premier. We are in times of great global uncertainty, but I remain resolute and absolutely certain of the promise, potential, and bright future of our land and our people.
Mr. Speaker, these are uncertain times, nationally and internationally, marked by challenges that not only define our present but also shape our future that we are working to build. Yet, these challenges are also opportunities for Canada and the NWT to build a stronger, more diverse economy centered on the rights and priorities of Indigenous peoples. We in the North are the frontline in asserting Canada's sovereignty through our presence and use of the land. Any plan for the Arctic must be reflective of Northerners' priorities and perspectives. This renewed national focus, reinforced by the release of Canada's Arctic foreign policy and updated defense strategy, demonstrates an appreciation for the nation-building work needed in Canada's Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, the work of government continues despite the challenges before us. It is guided by the mandate of the Government of Northwest Territories, which was developed and tabled early last year based on the priorities of this 20h Legislative Assembly. The mandate sets out the priorities and commitments for the GNWT, and these are reflected in the business plans and the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
One of the priorities we collectively set was addressing the effects of trauma. I believe this to be at the heart of the work we must do. Individual, collective, and intergenerational trauma from colonialism and racism are behind many of the health and social challenges affecting our families and communities. The GNWT is taking steps to support healing through equitable, person-centered, anti-racist and trauma-informed care and services.
This includes the Men's Healing Fund, which supports community-led men's healing programming as a preventative approach to address family, intimate partner, and gender-based violence. Seven communities received full proposal-based funding in 2024-2025 to support activities including on-the-land healing, trauma and addictions programming, narrative therapy intervention strategies, and intensive healing programs.
Through flexible bilateral agreements with the Government of Canada, the $16 million 10-year national action plan to end gender-based violence provided each jurisdiction with the choice to allocate funding for their respective priorities, needs, and challenges. In the NWT, more than 80 percent of this funding flowed directly to NWT communities. The first annual report was released in the fall of 2024.
Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a complex issue and the GNWT's homelessness strategy takes a holistic, interdepartmental approach to address homelessness. In late fall 2024, the GNWT implemented an on the land camp as a temporary intervention and critical step in the GNWT's broader strategy. The closure of the camp in mid-January marks a shift toward more permanent solutions, including the development of additional transitional and supportive housing options.
The GNWT and its partners continue to address mental wellness and addictions recovery through programming in every community. A milestone over the past year was the completion of all 24 action items in the Addictions Prevention and Recovery Services Work Plan. In the coming months, results from this work will include the launch of two transitional housing programs in Yellowknife and Inuvik made possible through federal funding and local partnerships.
Mr. Speaker, we all want safe communities for Northerners. With the NWT having some of the highest crime and victimization rates in Canada, it is critical that we understand and address the root causes of crime.
The GNWT is committed to improving the safety and well-being of NWT Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and has developed Missing Persons legislation that will address some of the barriers that make it difficult to investigate missing persons cases, and create greater certainty about what information police can request in these situations.
Another tangible initiative in the NWT is the implementation of body-worn cameras for frontline RCMP officers across the territory. Body-worn cameras provide an objective view of police interactions, improve evidence gathering, and enhance resolution to public complaints. These cameras have been a national standard for RCMP frontline policing since 2020 and implementation in the NWT began last year, with full implementation expected in six to eight months.
Mr. Speaker, our government is supporting healthy people and communities. It is essential that we take an integrated approach to health care as we provide culturally respectful, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented services within the health and social services system. The GNWT is focusing on increasing access to health care and addressing systemic inequities and inefficiencies. The health care system sustainability unit was created to ensure the NWT's health and social services system is fiscally sustainable and efficient. This federally funded unit will focus on understanding which health and social services are essential for the NWT while maintaining quality and access to these services for residents.
Beyond this important foundational work, our government has prioritized the operational oversight and transformation required for the health and social services authorities to deliver services in a way that are sustainable and flexible and adaptable to community needs and outside pressures. The appointment of a public administrator with experience in leading health system transformation is an investment in this future.
Mr. Speaker, healthy people and communities is about much more than just health services. Climate change is a reality in the NWT, and there are many initiatives underway to help prepare, prevent, and mitigate damage and health issues from natural disasters. This includes a network of air quality monitors across 26 communities to help inform public health decisions during wildfire events. With investments in the NWT Energy Strategy, we are on track to meet our 2030 emissions reduction goals. Engagement on the draft Climate Change action plan is complete and will inform and support implementation of the 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework, positioning the NWT to better adapt to climate challenges while pursuing clean energy opportunities and green jobs for Northerners.
The GNWT is working with the organizations Sport Law and ALIAS to provide an independent reporting mechanism for instances of maltreatment in sport. This function will collect complaints and concerns from employees and other stakeholders, informing a suite of safe sport policies. Territorial and sports organizations will be required to have Safe Sport policies and plans in place to receive program funding and ensure that each organization is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and free from discrimination and harassment.
Mr. Speaker, strong and stable economies and employment opportunities are important for community wellness and vibrancy. To strengthen the economic foundations of the NWT, the GNWT will support the development of private sector and community capacity, encourage a diversity of economic activity across sectors, and reduce the cost of doing business in the NWT. Partnerships make us all stronger, and the work we do with Indigenous governments is critical to building healthy and strong economies through projects around the Northwest Territories and new opportunities for Northerners.
Over the past year, we have worked with Indigenous governments to make progress in expanding Indigenous-led conservation through funding agreements that will support northern conservation. I'm proud of the work we've done together to advance negotiations and legislation to establish the NWT Our Land for the Future Agreement, which provides $375M to support Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship and creates employment opportunities in small communities.
The GNWT is committed to advancing economic reconciliation through improved inclusion of Indigenous peoples in the workforce, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship, and integrating Indigenous businesses into the procurement processes.
One of the ways we are doing this is by preparing a public engagement on a new Indigenous procurement policy, which would include a preference for NWT Indigenous businesses. The results of the engagement will be shared publicly and will ensure fair and transparent processes while respecting treaty obligations and trade agreements.
Mr. Speaker, we're also supporting traditional livelihoods through a range of programs. Hunters and trappers have always been important to NWT communities, and through the Community Harvesters Assistance Program, we continue to provide direct support to help sustain and strengthen traditional practices. The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program helped NWT trappers sell more than 19,000 pelts worth approximately $520,000 last season. Additionally, 93 individuals completed their hunter education program, 136 residents across the territory attended trapper training in 2023 and 2024, and 15 trapping mentorship pairs were supported. Investing in these programs supports the traditional knowledge of hunters and trappers, protects natural resources for future generations, and improves the economic prospects for those who dedicate their lives to this vital work.
Mr. Speaker, we have also achieved significant milestones and results in our strategic infrastructure priorities. Last summer, my home community of Hay River celebrated the completion of two major projects that will provide immediate support to the community and long-term investment for the territory. The opening of Hay River's fish processing plant will allow us to support the growth of the commercial fishing industry by processing up to 1.5 million pounds of fish annually and will help to reinvigorate the fishing sector. The Hay River Harbour was also fully dredged, re-opening a navigable emergency channel and a critical link in the territory's transportation network.
Important milestones were achieved in the development of the Mackenzie Valley Highway and the Inuvik Airport. The Mackenzie Valley Highway is currently undergoing environmental assessment and community engagement. Pending a successful assessment, we will begin regulatory authorizations, obtain project funding, advance procurement, and secure land tenure requirements.
The GNWT also completed lengthening the existing Inuvik Airport runway by 1500 feet and widening of the runway safety area. At a time when the national and global focus is on the North, it is important that the Government of Canada continue to invest in the NWT's infrastructure.
We also signed two significant agreements this year that would create new opportunities for Northerners. The first is a memorandum of understanding for collaboration on the Advancement of Economic Corridors with the Government of Alberta. This MOU will help attract new jobs, drive infrastructure development, and leverage the strengths of both Alberta and the NWT. The second is the Canada Community Building Fund renewal agreement which will provide approximately $94.5 million for community government capital projects over the next five years.
Mr. Speaker, one consideration as we advance new capital projects and strategic infrastructure is how they can help mitigate and respond to climate-driven events such as floods and fires.
Following the unprecedented 2023 wildfire season, the GNWT has taken important steps to enhance our wildfire management program to best protect NWT residents and communities. An external review of the 2023 response provided 25 recommendations to improve mitigation, preparedness, and response efforts. While full implementation will take time, the GNWT is acting on these recommendations to strengthen wildfire prevention and emergency management across the territory.
We updated the NWT Emergency Plan in 2024 to clarify roles and responsibilities of community governments as the lead for emergency management, including the need for hosting and evacuation plans and clarity around reimbursable expenses.
The response to the 2024 wildfires in Fort Liard and Fort Good Hope were a first step in testing the investments made and the collaborative efforts from communities, Indigenous governments, and local leadership.
Mr. Speaker, to effectively address the territory's housing crisis and improve the suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing options in the NWT, we must work collaboratively with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, Canada, communities, and partners and stakeholders to deliver more homes for Northerners.
Housing NWT is actively advancing major projects in Yellowknife such as Aspen Apartments, a 36-unit building being modernized through a multi-level government partnership focused on key building components, including a new biomass heat plant, which is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs.
In the coming months, additional housing units will be ready for move-in across the territory, in the Mackenzie Delta, Monfwi, Nahendeh, Nunakput, Sahtu, and Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh ridings, creating new housing options and more homes for Northerners. Five new seniors' duplexes are under construction in Fort McPherson, Tulita, Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution, and Behchoko, and will include accessible kitchens, washrooms, and entryways, and spaces for traditional food preparation. Initiatives like these enable seniors to age in place in their communities, keeping families together. We have also signed agreements with the Tlicho government, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Deline Got'ine government and, most recently, the Gwich'in Tribal Council to address housing needs through cooperation and respect.
Homelessness is about more than just housing. The causes are complex, and our approach to addressing it must be multi-faceted. Over the past year, our government has taken steps to tackle homelessness using community-led solutions. In October 2024, the GNWT committed $445,000 annually to the Metis Local 51 to support the operations of the Hay River homeless shelter. To help strengthen shelter operations, we provided specialized training for staff focusing on safety, mental health support, and case management. While we are making progress in building and expanding the availability of housing, we are keenly aware that the need outweighs our ability to provide, so we continue to leverage our partnerships and possibilities.
Mr. Speaker, this is only a snapshot of the good work currently underway. There are many actions in planning and early implementation and more to come. Our mandate commitments span the full four-year term of this government. In this first year, we have taken decisive steps to lay the foundations and build relationships with partners and leaders that will help us as we move forward together.
The world is changing rapidly, and the North is not immune to global challenges. But by working together, we can turn these challenges into opportunities and make the NWT a place where people want to live, work, and raise their families for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
