Masi, Mr. Speaker. I rise to express my solemn gratitude and solemn gratitude for those Northerners who risked their health and well-being to save Northwest Territories against the ravages of COVID-19. First on everyone's mind are the front-line healthcare professions who stood guard, ever vigilant and caring. The NWT is blessed with the best, most dedicated doctors, nurses, healthcare professions, the technicians, and support staff in the world. Mr. Speaker, the gratitude doesn't stop there. We cannot forget the unsung heroes who maintain our critical northern chain of supplies from the truck drivers, postal workers, to the store clerks who stuck by their cash registers and stocked the shelves in spite of the real threat of personal infections.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I also want to thank the essential public service workers, teachers, school administrators, and public utility workers who answer duty's calls. These stalwart people keep the territory running smoothly in spite of the heightened tension and increased demand of their time. Our gratitude is also extended to all those municipal and also band employees who put their communities first as always. Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has been a moral threat to all of us, but it has been a reminder to Northerners of their interconnectedness and their mutual reliance on each other. It has highlighted the generosity, the courage, the resourcefulness of our citizens, NWT citizens. The actions of our people, the actions of our governments at all levels, our labour unions, as well, make them extremely proud to be a Northerner. I cannot think of a better, safe, more blessed place anywhere to wait for the passing of this difficult, world-wide health crisis. Masi, Mr. Speaker.