Mr. Speaker, despite the serious fiscal challenges, we have continued to provide quality programs and services to the residents of the Northwest Territories. We have made investments and initiated policy changes in key areas that will benefit the Northwest Territories for years to come. This budget builds on the foundation we laid in last year’s budget and is very much part of the work in progress to achieve the goals and priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly. We have made difficult fiscal choices in these two budgets which will put us on a sound long-term fiscal plan so that we can have the flexibility to continue to make investments today, and that will produce, in the longer-term, the benefits of a protected environment, a stronger, more diversified economy, and healthy, self-reliant people.

We know there will be more difficult choices ahead but if we focus clearly on the mandate that has been set by this Legislative Assembly, we will be able to achieve a powerful legacy that will benefit our territory for years to come. Our focus must be broad enough to encompass a longer-term perspective and be able to look ahead to ensure that we have the resources to make future investments in our people, in the land, and in the economy.