Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know that resource development is one of the most important assets of the NWT's economy. We've also learned that, when we move big projects forward, we'd better figure out how we're going to clean them up when production ends. That's where we're at with Giant Mine. The remediation of Giant will be a project almost as big as if it were a new mine development. It will involve nearly a billion dollars in spending around Yellowknife and the NWT. The remediation project will need a skilled workforce, and it will involve opportunities for local Indigenous businesses. The question is, Mr. Speaker: are we ready?

Mr. Speaker, as a government, we need to be consulting with and learning from the Giant Mine Remediation project team. What skills and trades will be in demand? What kinds of small business support will be needed? What opportunities are there for our businesses and residents to find long-term, meaningful employment? What will we be doing to keep those dollars at home here in the NWT? This project will place demands on our infrastructure. It will rely on our transportation and hospitality sectors, vehicles and maintenance, accommodations, and food. Services of all kinds will be needed. Long-term jobs will create opportunities for workers and their families who will need homes, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. Another big demand will be the energy needed to make such a project possible. Mr. Speaker, the Giant project may be up and running at the same time as a new TerraX gold mine. TerraX has already identified energy availability as one of its biggest challenges. If TerraX and Giant are on-stream at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the demand will be even greater. I ask again: will we be ready?

Mr. Speaker, this project represents a new opportunity for Yellowknife and the NWT. Jobs, growth, training, skills and trades, secondary industries, are needed to support the people and the infrastructure this project will demand. In the interests of our mandate objectives of economic diversification, training, and growth, we need to be prepared. So I'm asking, Mr. Speaker: are we doing enough to make sure we're ready to capture these opportunities when they come? At the appropriate time, I'll have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.