Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I am going to speak once again about the issues pertaining to the Fort Smith Regional Airport. Today marks the fourth time that I have done a Member's statement about this topic in this Assembly. I spoke at length about the discontent and disappointment that the people of Fort Smith have about the changes done to the Fort Smith Regional Airport. Oftentimes, though, it seems my words fall upon deaf ears when it comes to this topic. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to share with this House that I am no longer the only voice opposing the changes made to the Fort Smith Regional Airport. I stand here today with the support of 550 people who agree with me and with what I have been saying about the changes done to our airport.

Mr. Speaker, last month, a petition was started by a small group of concerned Fort Smith residents. The petition is requesting that the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Infrastructure restore the Fort Smith airport runway to its former specifications, in other words return the airport runway to the specifications it was before any changes were done to it in 2019.

This government, primarily the Department of Infrastructure, refuses to acknowledge that any errors or missteps had occurred regarding the changes done to the Fort Smith airport runway. I have asked the former Infrastructure Minister this very question. It was firmly denied that any wrongdoing had occurred. Mr. Speaker, I now have 550 people who would disagree with the Department of Infrastructure in that assessment. I argue that wrongdoing has taken place. Otherwise, the people of Fort Smith, would be pleased and perfectly content with the changes done to our airport. If no missteps were made, then why am I standing here today with the backing of 550 signatures who state otherwise?

In closing, Mr. Speaker, my hope with delivering this petition today is that my words on this topic will now carry more weight and meaning. I hope everyone will see that I am not speaking for myself and my own opinion about the Fort Smith airport. I will speak more about this later when I present the petition. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.