Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the Tlicho All-Season Road that will connect the community of Whati with the greater Northwest Territories. This is an important initiative for the growth and development of our future here in the Northwest Territories, and shows that this government is capable of working in partnership with many levels of governments, including Indigenous governments who have made the choice to ask for this important strategic investment.
People are very excited about this road, I think, across the territory and the potential that it represents for our communities, for our economy and again for our future. This will mean access to cheaper goods and more of them in this once isolated community. It means potential for developing hydroelectric resources and bringing cheaper power to the community, as well. It means opening up the door for increased mineral exploration in the region and finally getting a major mine that's been stalled in development off the ground and create jobs for the people we represent.
As you know, we've said often a job is the best possible thing we can do for our people to take the pressure off government spending and put money back into our communities, and this is an initiative that will help to deliver on those promises. It is a mandated commitment, and I'm very proud to see the work that's been done to date. I hope we can get more details from the government on exactly when we're going to start work on this important initiative and exactly who is paying for it, so I'll have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.