Taxpayers pay the Minister’s and Premier’s travels around the world to entice fossil fuel developers, declaring the NWT open for business. Then the Minister returns home, dons his regulator hat and regulates these same corporations. I ask you, are there questions to be raised here? All this for fossil fuels whose combustion is known to be frying the earth and whose pursuit leaves the land and many people devastated in its wake. The people know what is needed, but they are being effectively silenced.

Citizens of the NWT, rest easy, your government is on the job. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Still a question arises: Why? Why will this government refuse to take a transparent and objective look at this controversial practice? Addiction has been defined as knowingly indulging in something repeatedly when it gives short-term gratification yet devastating long-term harm. Could that be it, Mr. Speaker? I simply don’t know, but I know our record on dealing with addictions. I will have questions. Mahsi.