Madam Speaker, I would like to do a short presentation on the budget address that was tabled by the honourable Caroline Wawzonek, the Minister of Finance, on February 25, 2020. First of all, this budget is status quo, with the vast majority of funds going to Yellowknife. I want to remind all Members, including Cabinet, of our 22 priorities, which included regional centres and smaller communities.

Madam Speaker, this budget focuses on all of the capital city of Yellowknife's needs and less on the regional centres and communities. The 2019-2023 Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories clearly outlined our priorities. The process was followed, yet, again, this 19^th Assembly is leaving the people outside the capital without hope and future prospects for growth in a meaningful way. The 51 new positions for Stanton and the Integrated Case Management Group under Justice will be increased by two, which includes four permanent staff members, and all of the new positions designated for growth in other departments only in Yellowknife must all be looked at in a more strategic and objective manner. As an MLA, I am not going to approve this budget, especially the Integrated Case Management Group, unless two out of the four new positions that this budget is asking for are situated one in Fort Smith and one in Inuvik, respectively.

Madam Speaker, as an MLA and a strong businessperson with 50 years of business experience, my main concern is the economy. I feel that this budget is not addressing how we are going to come out of deficit. Strong emphasis must be placed on the economy to advance our business sector in the exploration of diamonds, oil, tourism, and small business, to ensure that we have a strong economy so our people in the NWT can have hope and faith in their government. The Taltson expansion is probably the most beneficial green project that makes sense. With 75 percent of the funds coming from the federal government and with 25-percent input from our own Indigenous governments, it's a win-win situation that must be looked at seriously.

Madam Speaker, the total expenditure for this budget is $1.9 billion. The majority of this budget is slated for the capital of Yellowknife. The ordinary Members on Cabinet should be more mindful of how Cabinet presents a budget of this sort when it affects the smaller communities and the regional centres outside of Yellowknife. Obviously, this did not happen.

A quote: "Self-government and self-determination are not possible in a society in which there is no set of criteria defining what behaviour and beliefs constitute acceptable expressions of leadership." Madam Speaker, when we get into the budget estimates, which we already have, and have to vote on the outcomes, we must keep in mind our mandate of inclusiveness, ensuring that the entire population of the NWT benefits from this budget. Changes to this budget must be made to reflect this. This is what the people of the NWT want. The majority of the NWT, the people of Thebacha riding, and the Indigenous people outside of Yellowknife must benefit from this budget and in future budgets from this day on. Thank you, Madam Speaker.