Thank you, Madam Chair, I do.

I am here today to present the 2020-2021 Main Estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Overall, the department's estimates propose a decrease of $317,000 or 0.5 percent over the 2019-2020 Main Estimates. These estimates support our fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending while matching the modest expected revenue growth over the coming year.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

• forced growth of $2.2 million, which includes $1.7 million in funding for UNW collective bargaining increases; $250,000 in support of the management of socio-economic agreements, to ensure maximization of benefits to the NWT and Indigenous residents and businesses; and $176,000 for a seasonal position and a contribution increase to Tuktoyaktuk to assist in the growing demand of tourism from the opening of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway;
• other adjustments include $240,000 to support the implementation of the Northwest Territories petroleum resources strategy to attract oil and gas development and a position to support the implementation of the strategy for revitalizing the Great Slave Lake commercial fishery; and last,
• we see a sunset of about $1.5 million which primarily consists of an initiative to complete a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey and surficial mapping program in the Slave Geological Province.

To support our ambition of building a strong, diverse economy across the Northwest Territories, ITI's proposed budget allocates approximately 60 percent or $34.3 million of spending to economic development and business services, tourism, and parks. This will be dedicated to programs designed to develop small businesses in all communities and across a variety of sectors. This government takes diversification seriously, and we will continue to be allies to entrepreneurs and the business community.

At the same time, this government recognizes the importance of the resource sectors to our continued prosperity. To that end, these estimates allocate nearly $16.1 million to deliver programs and services to benefit mining, mineral exploration, and the oil and gas sector, as well as Indigenous governments participation in the sector.

These estimates offer the resources necessary to support Industry, Tourism and Investment program delivery, and begin implementing our government's mandate in support of the priorities of the 19^th Legislative Assembly.

That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Madam Chair.