Yes, I do, Madam Chair.

I am pleased to present the 2022-2023 Main Estimates for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Overall, the Department's estimates propose a decrease of $364,000, or 0.6 percent, under the 2021-2022 Main Estimates. These estimates support the mandate objectives for ITI while continuing to meet the GNWT's fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.

Highlights of these proposed estimates include:

• Initiative funding totaling $2.05 million, which includes:
• $1.07 million to continue our support of the tourism sector under Tourism 2025 towards the five-year investment strategy for the tourism sector;
• $389,000 to support the continuation of advancing the knowledge economy;
• $300,000 to increase funding in support of the Mining Incentive Program to stimulate prospecting and exploration and increase resource exploration and development in the territory;
• $188,000 to support and develop the Northwest Territories agriculture sector, including financial support for commercial operators and Canadian Agricultural Partnership contributions; and
• $100,000 to support Indigenous capacity building in the resource sector in all Northwest Territories regions, to build awareness and understanding of resource sector project lifecycles, as well as training for Indigenous Northerners to participate in the resource sector.
• Forced growth funding of $169,000 for parks operations utilities to keep up with increases in usage and inflation;
• And other adjustments of $236,000 comprised of $804,000 for collective agreement increases;
• Offset by a reduction to the travel budget of $568,000; and
• Sunsets of $3.21 million.

These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and supports the vision of Budget 2022, notably by:

• A regional approach to service delivery, where many of the department's programs are delivered in partnership with community organizations to support regional decision making and increasing employment in small communities;
• Focusing on economic diversification by supporting growth in a variety of sectors establishing regional economic development plans to increase economic opportunities across the Northwest Territories;
• Advancing the GNWT's procurement review and implementation, including the Business Incentive Policy, to ensure government procurement and contracting maximizes benefits to Northwest Territories residents and businesses;
• Public engagement on the royalty review discussion paper developed in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Council, in support of the development of the Mineral Resources Act Regulations, and review of the socio-economic agreement program to support adopting a benefit retention approach to economic development; and.
• Construction of the Hay River fish plant, and collaboration with the Ministers of Health and Social Services, Environment and Natural Resources, and Executive and Indigenous Affairs to support increasing food security through locally produced, harvested, and affordable food.

That concludes my opening remarks.