Thank you, Mr. Chair. Like much of our legislation, what we have before us is a compromise worked out with Members in this Chamber.

It is quite right that we were put under pressure by the federal government when they announced that they were going to move ahead on their promise made during the election to change the criminalization of cannabis. It was an election promise, but I think we were a little surprised when it came forward as early as it did.

This did put pressures on this jurisdiction, and in fact, all jurisdictions, to respond and bring forth legislation that dealt with the areas that we would be concerned with. I believe what we have brought forward is suitable to the Northwest Territories. We looked at many things. We looked at other legislation. We certainly listened to the observations and concerns expressed by committees. Our officials went out. There was public engagement, and I believe there were over a thousand online submissions, so there were many opinions out there, including some that felt that cannabis should not be legalized in the first place, but, of course, that was a federal government decision.

So, yes, this bill, Bill 6, is a compromise, but we feel it's a reasonable compromise in the circumstances. Again, we were under a time pressure. We have responded. We have consulted with the public and the Members in this Chamber. Again, I believe that Bill 6 is the appropriate legislation. Thank you.