Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week I was lucky to participate in Grow NWT, an agri-food industry conference hosted by the Territorial Agri-food Association here in Yellowknife. The conference kicked off Thursday afternoon with the blue sky brainstorming session on how to foster the agri-food sector for the future. This event saw roundtables of growers, processors, chefs, government, subject matter experts, big thinkers, and others interested in tackling the barriers and issues facing food production and food security north of 60. The conference got into full swing on Friday with opening remarks by MP McLeod and Minister Wawzonek, as well as by Kevin Wallington, president of the association. What followed was likely one of the most inspiring conferences I've ever attended. The passion in the room was palpable and the air of excitement contagious.
Mr. Speaker, over the course of the day it became evident to me what a large role the agri-food industry can play in the future of our territory. Growing our food locally will pay economic dividends by creating a robust new industry to help with our diversification mandate. Items would cost less to transport, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing our carbon footprint. But what struck me most about the presentations and discussions from last week was how much this sector could play in our mental well-being and physical health. When I have personally dealt with depression, one of the things my doctor always said to me is to get out in nature, that this was the best medicine I was going to find. If we could create an industry that allows people to be outside, with their hands in the dirt, while also paying them a living wage, I am sure we would see a drop in stress and depression affecting our communities. We would see people reconnecting with the land and we would see the land healing them in return.
One of the barriers raised by the entire group was the idea that there needs to be a shift in how we look at the food sector industry. We need to create agricultural land designations and all levels of government must return land to the people. Not only is this necessary for reconciliation, it will give residents of this territory control over their own future. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, I was never so worried as when I sat on the agricultural federal/provincial/territorial table as Minister during the pandemic and realized just how far at the end of the supply food chain we really are. I never want to have that worry again, Mr. Speaker, so now is the time to get behind our food growers and agri-industry and start taking food security back into our own hands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.