Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on this, the very first occasion to speak in this Fifth Session of the 15th Assembly, I'd like to take this opportunity to speak about something that has been at the forefront of my mind over the least seven weeks, and that is the labour dispute between Ekati diamond mine and its bargaining unit, the Union of Northern Workers.

Mr. Speaker, I believe I join everyone else in the House when I say how encouraged we are that the parties are back at the negotiating table as we speak, and how much we wish, in the interest of all parties involved, that they will reach an agreement that will bring an end to this labour dispute that has gone on for too long.