Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the issue of elections. As elected representatives of the Assembly, we are all directly affected by how well our electoral system works. Certainly how Canadians vote and the mechanism for determining how that vote produces a representative Assembly is a pertinent topic right now on the national level.

For all of us as representatives, it's important that we have confidence in the electoral process. We need to know that the process is fair in order for us to represent those who voted for us. I want to know the level of support I have, and I need to know what work I need to do in order to represent those who didn't vote for me.

In the last territorial election the numbers of voters declined from the previous election in 2011. We are currently looking at modernizing the Elections Act, making changes to the process to get people more involved. Mr. Speaker, I think we must commit to making this happen well before the next election period. Having this discussion in the last year of our term leading up to the election will be far too late.

We need to consider new ways to inform voters and find ways of making voting easier and more efficient and fair. How can we make sure every qualified voter is registered? How can we make the process transparent and open to anyone who wants to volunteer? How can we streamline the rules and accountability around campaign contributions? We can make sure NWT electors and candidates have these answers before the next election if we get to work on this as a government and put some resources towards this now.

Engaged voters don't just vote; they talk over coffee, around the dinner table. They speak at government meetings and come out to constituency meetings. They write officials and the media and their MLAs to express their opinions. They start and sign petitions, and sometimes they gather in public and have marches.

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly is committed to openness and transparency as a government; this must extend to our electoral process, to make sure that democracy actually works for the will of the people. It's a vitally important conversation, and it's all about having your voice heard.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you to my constituents and all citizens of the NWT who are out there voicing an opinion, stepping up, and getting involved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.