Mr. Speaker, despite the seriousness of our revenue outlook and our absolute commitment to responsible fiscal management, we will still make significant expenditures. Our $1.7 billion operating budget is the equivalent of spending $37,500 on every Northwest Territories resident.

Our core social programs delivered by the departments of Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, Municipal and Community Affairs and Justice and by the NWT Housing Corporation make up over $1billion or 63 per cent of our $1.7 billion operating budget.

We are also providing $92 million through this budget to protect and manage our environment and wildlife through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and $26 million for the Department of Lands to manage sustainable use of public lands in a fair and transparent way, respecting ecological, social, cultural, and economic values.

Protection of our natural environment is part of the legacy that this Assembly will leave to future generations, and improving the environment for the Northwest Territories' economy to grow and prosper is another important gift of the 18th Assembly to the future. We are supporting the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment with $56 million to manage mineral and petroleum resources responsibly and partner with others to promote and support economic prosperity, diversification, and community self-reliance.

Without investments in schools, health clinics, community infrastructure and other public works, we cannot deliver programs and services, and, without investments in transportation infrastructure, our economic potential is reduced. We have provided the new Department of Infrastructure with a budget of $240 million to provide residents with public transportation infrastructure and to support the facilities and technology infrastructure required for the government to deliver its programs and services and to support the Northwest Territories economy.