Good afternoon, colleagues. Residents of the Northwest Territories have spoken on November the 14th. Now we begin the work in selecting our Legislative Assembly leadership. I placed my name forward for Cabinet position. I'll share my presentation.

I'm a residential school survivor entering my early years in politics as a community counselor and participated in the Sahtu regional land claim process, having worked up the chain of command and becoming the first native oil well driller in Norman Wells and witnessed the Norman Wells oil field expansion in the early eighties. Having operated my construction business for several years provides me with experiences in decision-making, a fundamental element in project management and completion. If elected, I'll bring these principles to the 20th Legislative Assembly and the co-drafted list of priorities.

As a returning Member from the 18th Legislative Assembly, I'm quite familiar with government conventions, experiences and values, serving public office, which is now pressured by economical, mental health, housing, cost of living, and social issues very similar in all 33 of our communities.

I support a post-pandemic review approach to our four-year co-draft priorities in collaboration with the Indigenous leadership council. Integral to this Legislative Assembly institution is the leaders representing it. With my previous Assembly experiences, being a lifetime Indigenous northern resident and my private sector experiences, I believe will contribute to being an effective Cabinet Minister. I feel strongly that my experiences and energy will strengthen stability in both the national and territorial platforms.

On the points of growth specific solutions, I will support transitional efficiencies, reviews of programs, inefficient policies, projects, climate action planning, and other mandate frameworks in collaboration with the Members of this Assembly. This process will fundamentally allow for solutions, availability of resources and capital for common goals of our priorities, including land claim certainty. Higher interest rates also serve to increase associated cost with our government spending.

Releasing all project funds sitting idle is a necessary step towards post-pandemic economic stimulus. Question, Are we effectively managing our physical budget of $2.2 billion? Can we allow for reviews of capital debt to capitalization?

I will continue to support resource development. This sector is a huge economic contributor to our economy and GDP. I will support preparations for the new emerging reclamation and remedial opportunities; in addition, a review of our 2014 evolution agreement for independence, prudent leadership, healthy families, and that social programs to Saint John critical principles to the NWT stability and growth had descriptive statement on the economy. Our economy went from roadside assistance to roadside repost. One of the many initiatives specific to stimulus is releasing the many capital projects that remain idle such as the Inuvik airport terminal, the extended health care facilities, the Colville Lake school, the Tulita health centre, the Wrigley all-season road extension, the Great Bear River bridge, Stanton long-term chair, critical to economic development and central services. We can no longer sit idle. Growing our economy is not sitting on capital.

I will review and submit NorCan, a readiness training initiative for reclamation of remediation opportunities in our trades' division. A suitable starting point is our Skills 4 Success labour market forecast. This is one element in creating a disposable economy while addressing the labour shortage.

The NWT is at pivotal point. Our government physical position creates limitations on extended programs, services, and capital growth. More importantly, in realizing the limitations of our abilities and advancing relationships at the national and pan-regional levels. Forming partnerships is essential. In the process of reviews and efficiencies to program services, capital projects will enhance effective governance. Governing means making informed decisions in the better interests of our communities. I look forward to communicating with this Assembly and our Indigenous Leadership Council.

Climate change is inevitable. The Arctic is warming four times faster. The costly impacts of natural disasters requires our immediate attention to strategic adaptation. This reality needs more support in drafting a climate action plan, designed and tailor to include the Government of Canada.

The NWT society is in desperate need of reviews and action planning to address the addictions crisis and designed on the land model for recovery and traditional values and environment.

I support getting our communities off diesel. We need capital to transition however what is the alternative? This is a huge question, one that can be explored by the selected team.

There is federal resources available for transition to a low carbon green economy. We can explore that. As mentioned earlier, developing federal partnership engagements will assist our government for adaptations and solutions. It is extremely important in selecting our Legislative Assembly leadership elections are a process of transitional change. However identifying priorities is showing leadership, and I look forward to being a part of this implementation.

In closing, the Mackenzie Valley Highway. Here is a legacy with decades of discussions, endless studies. The time has arrived to advance on the issue of progress and more specifically recent mile achievements. This government to date succeeded in acquiring 26 percent of the initial project funding, the environmental assessment regulatory process started with DAAR submission on October the 12th, by legislation a timeline of 16 months or sooner. The low water levels of last summer is having community power generations airlifted in. It would be unimaginable if this was the case for fuel resupply. We must resolute this project, and I thank you, mahsi colleagues.