Mr. Speaker, for my Member's statement today, I am going to talk about the Taltson hydro expansion and its significance for creating long-term economic development for the NWT. I've now spoken several times in this House about the importance this project brings to the North, and that is the very reason I keep speaking about this topic.
Mr. Speaker, because of the great potential that I am confident this project will bring in terms of cheaper, cleaner energy for the residents and businesses of the Northwest Territories. Another pressing reason for why this project matters more than ever is because of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of this pandemic have been severe and will most likely be felt for many years to come. Even our Finance Minister, in her fiscal update earlier this week, said that only about 90 percent of the NWT jobs are expected to return to their pre-pandemic numbers by the end of 2020.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I implore this government to continue to advance this project as a top priority item working alongside the federal government and all Indigenous governments residing nearest to this project. It is extremely important that all levels of government work together on this project to ensure that all of the people of the NWT benefit from the construction of this expansion.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, if the Government of the Northwest Territories truly aspires to grow and diversify our economy for a brighter future, then they must stay the course and complete this expansion. As the saying goes, if you build it, they will come. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.