Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, throughout the public service there is one dominating topic of discussion, the possibility of a government strike. Workers are disgruntled. They have been without a contract for three years. Meanwhile, the cost of everything is going up, and none of us has a choice about whether to pay the cost. Fuel, travel, power, food, nothing is spared from the increasing cost of living.

Mr. Speaker, in this fiscal climate the essential services that our government provides to its citizens become more and more important and we need to recognize and respect the public servants who provide those services. These are highly trained, professional, competent, and caring people. Teachers, nurses, engineers, project managers, accountants, all these people working for this government provide the services that our citizens need and count on.

Mr. Speaker, in a soft economy those services are relied upon even more than ever, and we are living in a soft economy right now. Small businesses have already noted a steep decline in sales and income just in the past few months. Confidence in spending is down, and a possible strike is just a rumour at this point. Imagine the actual impact of an actual work stoppage across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, no one disputes that, as leaders of the Northwest Territories, it is incumbent upon this government to lead in a fiscally responsible way, especially during economically challenging times, and that means serious and relentless scrutiny of the dollars that we spend.

However, as leaders, we also have a responsibility to respect our partners and citizens, our partners who are the dedicated employees of this government and our citizens who benefit from and rely on the services that government provides. In this case, Mr. Speaker, that means that we need to roll up our sleeves, get back to the table, set aside our differences, and seek compromise.

Mr. Speaker, our economy, our public service, and our citizens need leadership. We need teamwork and partnership. A work stoppage will not achieve anything or do anyone any good. I urge both the government and the UNW to go to work and get an agreement done, as there is no more important a matter for Northerners at this time than this one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.