Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are any number of issues I could bring to the House today, but there is one pressing issue that I'm sure we're all aware of, and that is the ongoing dispute over the collective agreement between the GNWT and its workforce.

Mr. Speaker, these employees are our friends and neighbours. The financial uncertainty that it is causing not just for the workforce, public servants who are tireless providing our high-quality public services to the people of the Northwest Territories; it is additionally causing uncertainty for the business community, for private citizens in the private sector as well who are worried about what their future holds and what the consequences of a divisive strike action will be.

Mr. Speaker, after three years without a deal it is understandable that people are frustrated and it is understandable that people are emotional. Where we are today is something nobody wants. I have to take some personal responsibility for that. I am an MLA. I am here to work with the Cabinet and my colleagues in discussing issues of territorial concern. I knew for the past three years that there have been difficulties in this collective agreement and I have done very little, and for that, I am truly sorry. I should have taken more action, I should have spoken up, and I should have worked more closely with colleagues to try to bring a resolution to this that would not result in the threat of immediate strike. Again, for that, I am truly sorry.

I am directly responsible for the actions to come, and I will be working tirelessly to try to bring an end to this dispute, to try to bring about a fair deal for northern workers, and to try to make sure a strike does not happen, because that is my priority. We cannot afford it.

We heard a financial address today. We know the economy is not in the best place. We need to do whatever we can to strengthen our communities, to strengthen our public service, and to keep going forward. A strike will slow us down and could have consequences that will take years to recover from.

This must be put to rest, and I will take action today. I will ask questions of the Minister today, and I will work with my colleagues to bring an end to this before it starts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.