Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the 2018-2019 Main Estimates for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Overall, the department’s estimates propose a decrease of $2.498 million or 2.5 per cent of the 2017-2018 Main Estimates, and the net reduction of one position.

Highlights of the proposed estimates include:

• New funding of $482,000 to improve existing climate change resilience and adaptation capacity, $475,000 to assist with the implementation of the agriculture strategy through related animal health initiatives and a review of waste resource practices, $440,000 to support the establishment and monitoring of candidate protected areas, $412,000 to develop a NWT-wide country food strategy and associated programming, and $310,000 to support the continued well-being of the Bathurst caribou herd;

• Forced growth in this year’s estimates is $72,000 to increase the contracts to community organizations for the provision of forest fire personnel;

• Expanding the department’s capacity by $103,000 and half a position to provide French-language communications and services; and

• The department’s continued support toward a fiscally responsible budget by reducing $1.3 million in recognized efficiencies in preparation for wildland fires, $468,000 to continue the implementation of reductions approved in the 2017-2018 budget, and $250,000 to recognize the reduced operational requirement for equipment at the Taiga Environmental Lab.

These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly in the areas of:

• Collaborating and fostering government-to-government relationships with Indigenous governments in the program areas of wildlife, forestry, water, conservation, and environment;

• Improving food security by encouraging local food production, traditional harvesting, and effective co-management of caribou herds and other wildlife species;

• Investing in forestry, agriculture, and traditional harvesting and sustainable on-the-land livelihoods for residents of the NWT;

• Improving coordination and effectiveness in resource management systems, recognizing traditional knowledge, land claims agreements, and devolution;

• Implementing a strategy to mitigate and adapt to climate change in collaboration with other governments and organizations; and

• Continuing with the department’s legislative initiatives to amend the Environmental Protection Act, the Environmental Rights Act, the Forest Management and Protection Act, the Waters Act, and to create new legislation for protected areas.

That concludes my opening remarks, and I look forward to answering questions from Members. Thank you.