This delay was unintended and in no way should be considered as a lowering of the government's commitment to implementing the NWT Carbon Tax. Carbon pricing will be introduced in the NWT either utilizing our own approach or having the federal backstop imposed upon us. We believe our approach has significant advantages for our businesses and residents, including in the way we have approached rebating the carbon tax on heating fuel, protecting electricity rates, and providing the cost-of-living offset benefit to all residents of the NWT.

We have reached out to the Government of Canada, the Premier has spoken with Minister Morneau as the federal intergovernmental Minister, and I will be speaking with Minister McKenna tomorrow. They are aware of our legislative process and the challenges all legislatures face when nearing the end of their term in office to fulfill their mandates. There is no plan on the part of the federal government to implement the federal backstop on July 1^st. We would thank them for their understanding.

Mr. Speaker, addressing climate change is a key priority item for the 18^th Legislative Assembly. The 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework and the 2030 NWT Energy Strategy and all their related actions and introducing carbon pricing all represent significant action this government is taking on this priority. The federal government has been an important partner in these initiatives.

Mr. Speaker while there is still much more to be done, I believe this Assembly is providing a strong foundation for continued action on this important issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.