Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I bring to your attention the Louis Cardinal and Abraham Francis ferries. The Louis Cardinal operates on the Mackenzie River, connecting Tsiigehtchic to the Dempster highway, and the Abraham Francis operates on the Peel River, closer to Fort McPherson.

Mr. Speaker, my home community of Tsiigehtchic is only accessible by winterized roads five months out of the year and by the ferry services another five months during the summer season.

Fort McPherson is connected to the Dempster highway and, during the summer months, it's only accessible by the Abraham Francis and Louis Cardinal ferries. Mr. Speaker, the Peel River ice moved on May 10^th. The ice has cleared now for the past week and water levels are receding. The Mackenzie River ice has started moving on May 15^th. The ice has thinned, and water levels are also receding.

Mr. Speaker, like many of our communities in the Beaufort Delta, Fort McPherson, and Tsiigehtchic, price has increased. The cost of living goes up in the fall when the ferry shuts down, and again in the spring when the ice road closes.

Ferry services also connect our communities to central Inuvik, where we have access to the hospital, dental, and other business opportunities. We depend on the ferry and, to date, we have heard nothing about when they will be launched, and operating services may take up to two weeks. Let's not forget the expectations of tourists to our region and bringing in money, enhancing our economy. The Northwest Territories has so much to offer in terms of scenery and excellent tour guides waiting to show off our country.

Mr. Speaker, people in Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson have been asking me questions of when the Louis Cardinal and Abraham Francis ferries will start operating. I will have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you.