Agreed. The Taltson hydro expansion has potential to connect ten NWT communities, and 70 percent of our population to one renewable hydro system that will stabilize the cost of electricity across the territory, reduce the impacts of the drop in the Snare system, and set the stage for clean economic growth from new to existing resource development projects, north and south of the Great Slave Lake. As we move towards construction, the northern economic impact of this project will only grow while our Indigenous partners at the table, we will enter into the regulatory process, establish critical protocols for business, employment, and training opportunities, and also work to ensure that project benefits stay in the North to the greatest extent possible. For example, approximately 600 construction jobs are expected during the construction phase over a five-year period.

Mr. Speaker, the Taltson expansion project is important to our future and economic recovery. It will provide energy-related infrastructure needed to advance our economy into the future, while also helping meet our mission targets. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.