In what he says will be an annual event, Premier R.J. Simpson stood in the Great Hall of the NWT Legislative Assembly late Tuesday afternoon and delivered a narrative on the accomplishments and challenges of the first year of his government.
Simpson spent some time detailing the efforts made by the GNWT to be “true partners” with Indigenous governments, since the 20th Assembly was elected in the fall of 2023.
“I have been extremely honoured and humbled by the openness Indigenous leaders have shown in working collaboratively with our government,” he told an invited audience of politicians, GNWT employees, media and a camera live-streaming the event on social media.
“We do not take this openness for granted. We understand that partnership is not a box to be checked off but a process that requires sustained effort over time. Trust is not given—it is earned, and rightly so.
“Of course, as with any relationship, we won’t always agree. But when we don’t, we work in good faith to address those disagreements head-on. And despite our best efforts, we will make mistakes from time to time. When that happens, we learn from them and do better.”
Deline Chief Danny Gaudet, left, speaks with federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree following speeches November 15th in Behchokǫ̀ celebrating NWT: Our Land for the Future partnership. Visible in the background are L-R: North Slave Métis Alliance President Marc Whitford,; Tłı̨chǫ Government Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty; NWT Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay Macdonald; and NWT Métis Nation President Garry Bailey. (CKLB files)
Simpson offered two examples: the NWT Council of Leaders meetings held in Ottawa and the Our Land for the Future Agreement.
Both of these initiatives involved multiple Indigenous governments and several GNWT departments working together on a scale “I have never seen before,” said the NWT’s first minister.
The Our Land for the Future Agreement is an Indigenous-led initiative that includes 23 Indigenous governments, the GNWT, the federal government, and three private donors.
Over the next 10 years, this agreement promises to bring $375 million into the NWT to support Indigenous-led conservation, land guardianship, stewardship, and economic development.
The premier also noted his cabinet is working with partners to accelerate the construction of the Mackenzie Valley Highway, now needed more than ever due to low water levels on the Mackenzie River.
Simpson also detailed his government’s response to “urgent calls from communities for stronger enforcement” by funding dozens of new RCMP positions, a new seven-person Territorial Crime Reduction Unit, specifically tasked with targeting illegal drugs and organized crime.
He said three crime-reduction bills will be introduced this session, which will:
- Allow authorities to shut down properties that are actively harming communities, including homes being used for drug trafficking.
- New trespass legislation will provide clear legal authority to remove individuals from properties where they are not authorized to be and where they are engaging in criminal activity.
- Civil Forfeiture legislation will help ensure that those who try to profit from drug trafficking cannot keep the proceeds of their crimes.
Said the Premier: “We will continue to take a firm and comprehensive approach to addressing the drug crisis, because the safety and well-being of Northerners must always come first.
“But we cannot enforce our way out of a drug crisis. As long as there is demand for drugs, there will be supply. I know that many residents—including our friends and family members—are struggling with addiction.
“While I encourage anyone who needs help to seek support, I also recognize that this is easier said than done.”
The session begins Wednesday afternoon, with Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek delivering her budget tomorrow afternoon.
CKLB re-broadcasts the afternoon sessions each evening stating at 7 p.m.
