Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Regular MLAs are the ones who want to do just that, through increases in the Small Community Employment Support Program.

However, the government wants to try to deliver that program with no changes in the policy, which means they will continue to have problems getting the money out the door. The program is just not deliverable in its current form, Mr. Speaker.

At the end of the day, to truly tackle poverty, we need a well-funded, well-coordinated government-wide approach to guide investments and programs showing the best returns.

We must empower Northerners to take jobs we need in childcare, education, social work, land-based work, not take away from local opportunities. Take Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. If you were to employ two people in Fort Resolution, two in Lutselk'e, and two in Ndilo, that would be six more families bringing in income and getting off income support.

A rising tide can lift all boats, but only if our approach truly brings our people and our anti-poverty efforts together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.