Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, we're living in exciting times. The Minister of Finance's budget address highlighted the economic development opportunities that we have to look forward to in the Northwest Territories in the coming years.

Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, we as an Assembly face some hefty challenges to ensure that residents of the Northwest Territories will benefit from this economic growth.

Residents of the Sahtu are well positioned to benefit from the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline, but only if they're prepared with the necessary education and training to take advantage of the employment opportunities directly and indirectly associated with the oil and gas industry of the Northwest Territories.

The Northwest Territories oil and gas industrial skills strategy, put together by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment along with the federal, aboriginal and industry partners, lays out a good plan to get our people ready. The last Assembly did a lot of planning, but there is a lot left to do.

Mr. Speaker, as I see it, the key to get the people of the Sahtu ready to benefit from the proposed pipeline is a jointly-managed approach. There has to be community focus. Aboriginal, federal and territorial governments must be in full dialogue to understand the particular needs of the Sahtu. The proposed pipeline is a one-time event, Mr. Speaker. If the residents of the Sahtu are not prepared, job opportunities will be lost to southerners. We do not want to see this happen, Mr. Speaker. I am very optimistic about the future goals of the people of the Sahtu region. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue I will be watching very closely. Mahsi.

---Applause