Thank you, Madam Chair. I know this is part of our mandate that we set out together, all of us. I am very much about the economy. We have to set the stage to ensure that we are still open for business. I am very strong about the economy, always was, ever since I have been here. Even before, in my previous leadership, everything was around business and the economy, even in what I have done in my previous leadership, setting up the First Nation to ensure that when I leave they are set up for life.
I think it's extremely important that a strong economy is best for all the people of the Northwest Territories. We must have faith. We must have hope. We have to look to the future. A lot of our youth do not come back here because we don't have a strong economy, when they go out for education. That has happened many times, even in the South Slave area. I believe that the economy is extremely important, a balanced economy and an economy that will ensure that all the social programs are looked after. You can't have it only one way.
I appreciate the comments and the motion that came forward from my learned colleague, and I respect his views, and I hope he respects mine. I will be voting against this motion because I am in favour. We are only asking for, the government is only asking for, $2.5 million or so, and it's a preliminary thing with the environmental and the studies that have to take place. That was part of our mandate when we all sat down together, all 19 of us, and so I will be voting against this motion, and I am in favour of a strong economy. Thank you so much, Madam Chair.