Current Press Releases

Good afternoon.

Today I want to take some time to provide you with a sense of what’s ahead for the Northwest Territories at this unique time in our Canadian history.

Despite the challenges that we are facing as a nation… I continue to believe in the great promise and potential of the Northwest Territories.

I believe our best days are not behind us… but still ahead of us. That we remain a land of amazing opportunity…of hard work and strong spirit. And that Northerners have a very important part to play in the great ongoing story that is Canada.

The last few months have been incredibly challenging for economies around the world.

Already, Northerners have begun to feel the effects of the global credit crunch. Some exploration projects have been cancelled, others are scaling back.

Northerners are concerned about the health of our economy. They’re concerned about jobs, the cost of living, the well-being of their families and how the uncertainty in the financial markets will play out. They’re concerned about what it means for us here in the North.

To all Northerners I say: have optimism and have confidence.

Although we won’t be immune from this economic turmoil in the short term we are well positioned to weather the storm in the long term … by investing in the future… and seizing great economic opportunities.

Back in March… in our first Budget … we took a long-term view. Although the economy was strong, we knew that government’s expenditures were growing faster than revenues. That government was essentially living beyond its means. We knew that if we didn’t make changes, we’d eventually end up in deficit.

So we took strategic steps to lay a solid fiscal foundation. To bring the rate of government spending into line with revenue growth. To prevent deficit spending. To focus the government’s expenditures on priority areas to position our territory for long-term success.

We faced some criticism. But we took the long term view.

As a result, our fiscal plan is on track. When Minister Miltenberger delivers the next Budget in February… there are still difficult choices to be made on how to focus our resources. The revenue options consultation summary paper released by Minister Miltenberger last week clearly demonstrates Northerners don’t want to pay more taxes. They want us to look at other ways of growing revenues, like population growth. And they want us to continue to manage government in a fiscally responsible way. Because of our planning, we will avoid major shifts and the upheaval that some other governments in Canada will face. Instead, the core programs and services that are important to Northerners will be protected. And we will be able to continue making investments in areas that improve the quality of life of Northerners.

Those investments will help stimulate the Northern economy and lay a foundation for future economic growth.

That’s important… because even though there is some short term volatility…over the medium and long-term, the Canadian economy will be back in full force.

Canada will emerge from this period of turmoil and will continue to grow. Markets around the world will continue to expand. And they will be seeking out the resources they need to power that growth.

In short, the world needs what we have in abundance.

Over the long-term, the Northwest Territories stands to play a crucial and growing role in filling the world’s demand for natural resources. Meeting that rising demand will bring more jobs…prosperity and opportunities for Northerners.

So we have every reason to be optimistic and confident.

In the meantime we will continue to take strategic steps to invest in areas that will improve the lives of Northerners. To position the Northwest Territories for future growth.

We’ll do this by staying on course with our budget... by reviewing our programs and services… and by working with the federal government on long-term investments that support prosperity in the NWT.

Your government is busy looking after your best interests and preparing for a successful future. We spend over $1.2 billion annually to provide Northerners with necessary programs and services. We want to stay on track by managing government responsibly.

Reform of key NWT boards will help our Territorial government become more client-focused in delivering government services to Northerners. We recognize that the pace of this change will vary in the regions of our Territory. Consultation on this important work is ongoing.

We’re looking at ways of improving the delivery of our capital projects. This includes delivery of our capital budget in the fall Session, and reviewing the potential for better coordination and collaboration between major infrastructure departments.

And we could not manage government responsibly without the continued dedication and commitment of our public service. We value our employees and appreciate the work they do for our residents

Another important area of work is in energy. How we produce it, how we use it, and the need for new alternatives.

Expanding the availability of alternative energy sources for Northerners will help reduce the NWT’s reliance on diesel fuel. This will, in turn, help reduce costs of living and improve the long-term sustainability of our communities.

We also want to explore alternative energies as part of our effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We know the very real impact that climate change is having on the North. We’re seeing melting ice, melting permafrost and a shorter ice road season. It’s important that we do our part to mitigate climate change and lessen the impact we have on the environment.

As we move ahead in the coming year we will be examining investments in alternative and renewable energy sources, and finding ways to stabilize and equalize power rates for Northerners. These initiatives will demonstrate the technological possibilities available to the NWT. And they will demonstrate our very real intention to lower energy costs for Northerners, including consideration of options for energy partnerships with industry.

It’s important that we prepare Northerners for the future with training for careers in the resource development sector. The recently announced MOU between the GNWT and Northern diamond mines will help develop and retain a northern diamond workforce. More Northerners will have the opportunity to work in the diamond industry, and we will work with our diamond industry partners to attract skilled workers and their families to the NWT. This will complement our efforts to market the NWT nationally as a great place to live and work.

In the Throne Speech, the federal government signalled a promise to help extend Canada’s pipeline network into the North to tap into the vast reserves of natural gas that lie beneath our great Territory. The Prime Minister has stated that the government is poised to tap the NWT’s enormous energy reserves, and to build the pipelines that will deliver that energy to North American markets.

We welcome those commitments with cautious optimism. Because we’ve heard such promises before. Some Northerners are naturally sceptical about the Mackenzie Gas Project. There have been delays and setbacks, some quite recent.

I believe it will proceed … because now more than ever … the Mackenzie Gas Project makes sense.

As our national leaders seek ways to revitalize our economy….

Here, in our Territory, lies one of the greatest national opportunities in Canada’s history.

The Mackenzie Gas Project, once constructed, will usher in a new era of prosperity – not just for the Northwest Territories, but for all of Canada.

It will make secure Canada’s position as a major supplier of continental natural gas.

It will provide billions of dollars to federal, provincial and territorial Treasuries, helping to fund and protect the programs and services that are important to Canadians… like health care and education.

According to a 2007 study, it will provide lasting, enduring value to this country, adding an extra $86.3 billion to the national economy – including $10 billion to Alberta, $5 billion to Ontario, $1.5 billion to British Columbia, and $1.2 billion to Quebec. In fact, it could be argued that it is the most strategic investment we, as a nation, can make in Canada’s future.

Here in the NWT, it could create 31,300 person-years of employment and generate nearly $5 billion in labour income.

What better way to get our national economy going again.

So we are going to push harder, and continue to make the case to Ottawa. Encourage them to clear the last few hurdles associated with the Mackenzie Gas Project, to support action on the Project’s advancement, and to make it a high priority.

Management of our lands and resources is an important concern for our government. Next year we will be releasing a comprehensive land use plan, to define GNWT interests in land use discussions with other stakeholders.

Next year we will release a Water Strategy to guide activities in the NWT that affect the use and management of our most precious resource. We are currently developing this strategy through a consultation paper released earlier this year.

As the public government for the Northwest Territories, the GNWT must play a role in activities that impact the land, water, and natural resources in our Territory. We will continue to work closely with the federal government to ensure the very real concerns of Northerners are given the greatest consideration by the federal government.

Our final area of focus is to work with the federal government to advance strategic investments that will position the North for long-term prosperity.

Northern issues are now on the federal agenda. It’s the greatest amount of attention we’ve seen in decades. Northerners appreciate the expanding recognition on the part of Canadians about the opportunities we offer… and about the important role our Territory can play on the national stage.

A new agency dedicated to the economic development of the North has been promised. We look forward to working with the federal government to see that this agency helps encourage new Northern businesses and helps foster new jobs and opportunities for Northerners.

This will complement the NWT’s efforts to support small business and entrepreneurship, through our additional investments in the new Support to Entrepreneur and Economic Development Policy.

The federal government has also signalled that it plans to work with provinces and territories to accelerate its spending on infrastructure.

We’ve made infrastructure spending a priority of this NWT government. In Budget 2008, we set out plans to make five hundred million dollars in infrastructure investments during the life of this Assembly. This includes critical highways, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, and community infrastructure such as water treatment plants.

We will lobby the federal government to enter into an infrastructure partnership agreement as a component of devolution and resource revenue sharing. Investment in Northern infrastructure like the Mackenzie Valley Highway makes even more sense during this economic down turn. These strategic investments will also help lay a foundation for future growth of the NWT. Residents and businesses will be better positioned to take advantage of opportunities when economic stability returns.

The federal government has also stated an objective of generating 90 per cent of Canada’s electricity from non-emitting energy sources by 2020, and plans to commit billions of dollars to pursue this objective. With over 11,500 Megawatts of hydroelectric potential, the Northwest Territories can help Canada reach this ambitious goal.

Federal investment in NWT hydro and other alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal, will complement our own energy objectives. It will help reduce the costs of living and doing business in the North. It will bring a new wave of green economy jobs. And it will help Canada achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets. We will engage the federal government on this important initiative.

Finally, there are some economic uncertainties and challenges in front of us. There are difficult and choppy financial waters that we need to navigate.

But I say with optimism and with confidence that the state of the Northwest Territories is strong.

We are well positioned to weather the global slowdown.

We are financially on track… making core investments that will benefit Northerners and their families.

We are pursuing initiatives that will reduce the cost of living and improve the quality of life of our residents.

We are home to abundant natural resources that the world will continue to need.

We have our issues on the national radar and the attention of Canadians.

And we have heart and spirit….we are no strangers to hard work and perseverance.

Together we will continue to build a bright and prosperous Northwest Territories.

A Territory that looks to the future with confidence.

One that realizes its incredible potential.

And one that plays an important part in the great story that is Canada.

As your Premier I look forward to working with you, and for you, towards this bright future. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.