Masi, Mr. Speaker. Today, we are talking about economic recovery here in the Northwest Territories. I believe it's time that we listen to our business sector and the public on how to boost our NWT economy.
Mr. Speaker, I have to reflect back on 150, again. That's the staff that the Premier's secretariat needs. That is one COVID staffer for every 200 people living in the territory. Eighty-seven million, Mr. Speaker. Eighty-seven million is what the department of COVID is going to cost the taxpayers in the Northwest Territories. That is more than three times what we're spending on the entirety of the Assembly's priorities over the four-year life of this Assembly. I refer to priorities like lowering our cost of living in the Northwest Territories, raising education standards, and decent, affordable housing. It also equals 300 homes for homeless and overcrowded Northerners. It equals the three new addiction treatment centres I spoke to earlier plus six badly needed community centres. It also equals 100 new classroom teachers employed continuously over the next five years of schooling.
Therefore, Mr. Speaker, there are better, cheaper ways to respond to the COVID challenge, had the Premier and the Cabinet chosen to consider these options. I stand here today to say: enough is enough. Let's start listening to the people of the North. They are our voices as we stand here today, questioning these very important matters. Masi, Mr. Speaker.