Current Press Releases

Mr. Speaker, on November 27th of last year, our Government began an expanded partnering approach with the Northwest Territories’ three diamond mines to identify ways to attract skilled workers and their families to the Northwest Territories and to advance training and travel initiatives to allow more Northwest Territories residents to be employed in our mines.

This approach was formalized in a Workforce Initiative Memorandum of Understanding that is now guiding our collective efforts to further the development and retention of a diamond mining workforce in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, our agreement with the diamond mines reflects our goal, as the 16th Assembly to provide all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

Our work under the Memorandum of Understanding also supports our stated priority to maximize opportunities from resource development. This includes promoting the Northwest Territories as a place to live and work.

Convincing fly-in–fly-out workers to make our territory their home is a key step that would serve to enhance the sustainability of our Northwest Territories economy and grow the population of the Northwest Territories. We are currently defining and prioritizing the steps that we will need to take to encourage mine employees to stay and live in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, The Northwest Territories has come a long way since 1996, when our first diamond mine began construction.

Northwest Territories residents have realized 13 thousand person years of employment, half of which has been Aboriginal employment. Training programs - many in partnership with the mines - have grown to prepare the young and vibrant workforce that exists today.

Innovations like the Mobile Trades Training Lab and the new Underground Miner Training Program ensure that we keep up with the needs of our growing industry and territory.

The Workforce Initiative Memorandum of Understanding was an important next step. It provides a framework for a strong and positive working relationship that will help government and the mines find more ways to develop the skills and capacities of our residents for industry; and attract even more new residents to the Northwest Territories.

One of the key themes that has emerged in our ongoing discussions is the need to find affordable means to expand pick-up points in the Northwest Territories for mine employees. The mines are now looking at ways to remove transportation barriers that will enable expanded employment beyond core recruitment areas and especially from the Northwest Territories’ northern regions.

In addition, the GNWT and mines will be conducting a survey in late spring with mine employees. This will help identify some of the barriers the Northwest Territories currently faces in retaining these employees in the North. From there, we will be able to work towards addressing the barriers and perceptions that are impacting northern residency.

While our work continues Mr. Speaker, it is, admittedly, challenged in the short term by the existing economic downturn that we are in. However, in recognizing the cyclical nature of this downturn it is critical that we work to counter its impacts and – as much as we can - keep building capacity - in our people, business and communities - and by doing so – in our economy.

We cannot have a healthy and vibrant economy without people. People empower our businesses and provide the market for goods and services that will create more businesses.

This Memorandum of Understanding is a collaborative investment with our diamond mines to increase northern employment and to attract and retain people to our Territory. Our Steering Committee will be meeting again in March and I look forward to keeping the Members of this Assembly informed as we move forward with this important initiative.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.