The Members of the 16^th Legislative Assembly have identified the following vision and goals for the Northwest Territories and priorities for action by the 16^th Legislative Assembly.

Vision:

Strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories

Goals:

A strong and independent north built on partnerships

An environment that will sustain present and future generations

Healthy, educated people

A diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices

Sustainable, vibrant, safe communities

Effective and efficient government

Priorities for the 16^th Legislative Assembly for Each Goal:

A strong and independent north built on partnerships

• Strengthen awareness of our northern identity and uniqueness by promoting our successes, our culture, our arts, and our languages with a proud and unified voice.
• Achieve significant progress toward northern control over the administration of lands, the regulatory system, and resource revenues.
• Build strong partnerships with northern governments on areas of common interest.
• Fulfill our implementation responsibilities for existing land claim and self-government agreements, and make best efforts to reach final agreements in ongoing negotiations.
• Work toward a common vision for the political development of the NWT.

An environment that will sustain present and future generations

• Coordinate our efforts to ensure development is sustainable for our land and wildlife.
• Protect our water supply and quality.
• Advance alternative energy initiatives.
• Work proactively with residents, communities and industry on mitigation of climate change.

Healthy, educated people

• Focus on prevention by promoting healthy choices and lifestyles, and the role of personal and family responsibility.
• Enhance early childhood education, and improve support for day care services.
• Improve support for children and adults with special needs and disabilities.
• Work with families, communities and schools to improve the physical and mental well-being of our youth.
• Strengthen regional and local treatment and aftercare programs to address addictions and mental health.

A diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices

• Promote development that reduces regional and community disparities.
• Work with regional business corporations and other partners to identify new economic opportunities.
• Support the development of sustainable local economies through small businesses and community-based sectors such as tourism, agriculture, arts and crafts, and the traditional economy.
• Build community human resource capacity with an emphasis on trades and entrepreneurial skills.

Sustainable, vibrant, safe communities

• Pursue initiatives to reduce the cost of living, and in particular energy costs.
• Improve transportation infrastructure to connect communities.
• Increase RCMP presence and strengthen the role of communities in prevention and enforcement.
• Support a healthy and sustainable voluntary and not for profit sector.
• Work proactively with communities on adaptation to climate change.

Effective and efficient government

• Complete a thorough analysis of the efficiency, effectiveness and value of current government operations.
• Achieve greater effectiveness, efficiencies and a more client-focused, service-oriented approach through better planning, coordination and communication between GNWT departments.
• Improve human resource management within the GNWT through training, career planning, and encouraging innovation by employees.
• Explore new potential sources of revenue.