Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are rapidly nearing our one-year anniversary as an Assembly and 1,053 days until the next election. As I reflect on this, I'm also mindful of today's opening prayer from former Commissioner Tuccaro on being a force of positive change for our communities. That is why we are here. But let me ask you, Mr. Speaker, are we better off today as a territory than we were a year ago? Have we made positive change on the most pressing issues facing Northerners?

Mr. Speaker, health care is in crisis, with doctors, nurses, and workers continuing to leave the profession in record numbers. 15 percent of the NWT is in public housing, 2 percent on the waiting list, 42 percent of NWT homes require repairs, 10 percent of the population lives in poverty. Climate change has irrevocably changed our way of life. It has destroyed the community of Enterprise which remains devastated after the 2023 wildfires. It is currently responsible for a humanitarian crisis in the Sahtu. All three diamond mines are set to close in 2031.

Mr. Speaker, I know that this government and this House are aware of these problems. Most of this list was cribbed from a fact sheet prepared by the Premier's office. Yet, where is the sense of urgency to take action? I don't see it. My constituents don't see it. Working people don't see it. What we do see is a government sleepwalking its way into one crisis after another. It is time to wake up, Mr. Speaker, and I am putting this government on notice that if things don't change, there will be consequences.

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly purposefully chose four priorities in order to ensure we could achieve real success and deliver on the needs -- of the greatest needs for our constituents - housing, health care, economy, and public safety. Clear, concise, small in number - four priorities. So let's get them done, Mr. Speaker.

No more action plans, no more ADMs, no more working groups. Let's get moving on legislation, let's get moving on spending, and make real lasting change before we fall so far behind our challenges, we can no longer catch up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Deh Cho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about fire towers and job opportunities for the residents of the Deh Cho.

Fire towers are used to monitor wildfires. Government employees used to operate them seasonally, typically from May to October. We used to pay a person to stay up there and keep communities safe. The fire tower near Enterprise was completed in 2015, and it's still in active use. What I would like to know, Mr. Speaker, is how is the tower currently staffed and can the government look to create more jobs with this kind of work? As I have said in the House in past statements, the residents of Deh Cho need practical and viable solutions after the devastating loss of homes and other buildings, which was 80 percent of all structures in Enterprise. Deh Cho residents need help. They need new opportunities; jobs young people can do. Working on the fire tower is one way to help ensure this devastation from wildfires does not happen again.

Mr. Speaker, this fire season, but last year especially, we know the government is spending more and more on responding to wildfires, that the department has satellite technology to track where commitment is, technology to measure the size of fires even underground. They use aircraft to monitor and put out fires. Costs are only going to increase. But I think we must really look at the establishment of more fire towers. This will employ people and cut down on costs. It will be easier to spot wildfires if we use our towers and our people effectively rather than leaving -- having helicopters and airplanes flying constantly trying to action fires that could have been spotted earlier. We use the ten or so towers we currently have in the territory but can we use them more effectively to employ more people, respond to fires near communities early, and ultimately reduce the devastation and financial loss wildfires cause? I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome back my friends and colleagues to the House. I look forward to this session and working with you all to continue moving the NWT forward.

This August marked one year without any evacuations for the community -- well, evacuations and emergencies for the community of Hay River. We are one year evacuation free. It's been a while since we could say that. Hay River, like no other community in the North, has experienced troubling events. But my community is resilient, and we will continue to move forward. We are still addressing issues that affect Hay River and its economy. Record low water levels have impacted both the fishing industry and shipping industry. The Hay River rail line remains uncertain as CN has decided not to rebuild the line after the 2023 fire. As the MLA for Hay River South, I will continue to urge CN to invest in rebuilding this line to reduce the costs to the residents of the North as this is pocket change for them. The community continues to rebuild from the 2022 flood and the 2023 fire, and the summer of full work for the contractors have had the opportunity for them to do lots of work this summer. This past year has also seen a return to normalcy and fun in Hay River, with some of our annual events such as the Polar Pond Hockey, the NWT Track and Field Championships, our Lobster Do, and Hay Days, just to name a few. Additionally, other organizations held events like the July 1st celebrations and National Indigenous Peoples Day. Events like these, along with other events in our community, is what makes our community and the volunteers that do it help make our community what it is today.

As we move through the year and the fall approaches, the town is alive with the return of school, winter sports, and our arena is packed again. This vibrancy is part of what makes Hay River so lively and active. In fact, Hay River won the Canada's Most Active Community in 2024. We received the $100,000 grand prize to support local physical activity and sport initiatives. Mr. Speaker, I'll ask for unanimous consent to continue my Member's statement. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you. I had this timed, but I'm a little slow with it. Hay River had more than 40 organizations participate in the challenge, recording 197 events, programs, and activities that provided opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities to get active. From a seniors' lift-and-learn program, mushroom picking, kayaking, golf, walking clubs, and the school-bike-bus programs. These were fun ways that residents were able to get active, and I don't think my epic athletic abilities made this list.

Member from Hay River South, your time is up. Thank you, Member from Hay River South. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk today about a man I've known most of my adult life, Mr. Tony Whitford. Perhaps he knew all along that a young Fort Smith young man would one day, who was riding the barges in the 50s, would become our Commissioner. Tony's inspirational story could simply be anyone's story or tale in this building. It's a story of perseverance and kindness. Tony's story, or even in some ways his chronicles, could easily be tucked away in a Mark Twain account about a life full of adventure.

Mr. Speaker, Members could imagine, just for a second, if they could pause their busy lives and close their eyes and open our minds and embrace a magical tale, I could hear the journalling of Mark Twain right now, his legendary accounts would probably sound something like this. And then there was poor Hawkin Tom rafting down the Mighty Mackenzie, and Tony was piloting them and telling them stories along the way. Little did they know their journey was just about to begin. Tony was full of life, interesting stories, and an endless capacity of bad dad jokes. Not to mention, Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of seeing many of his pencil sketches and being given crafted birdhouses. He was the everyday man. But at the same time, Mr. Speaker, he was a giant of kindness who always had time for you. When Tony would call, he would check into you. He genuinely wanted you to know he wanted the best from you. He raised your spirits, even just with a simple word or two, and I am grateful for those many occasions. I would always smile, Mr. Speaker, when I'd often hear that familiar greeting and I'd hear someone bellow out, how's the Hawk today he would say to me. He was -- you know, he was in his own way a perfect friend for all of us. Tony was my friend, Mr. Speaker, and I was grateful to be his friend. He was such a special person. That's why in 2015, I requested the government name the new government building, which was unnamed at the time, the Whitford Building but it was not to be. However, there is another opportunity to continue and recognize his legacy of kindness in a true hallmark way he was. This spring I emailed the Minister of housing to name the building on 53rd Street the Whitford Building. I call upon this government to do the right thing, set aside bureaucratic processes and protracted policies and needless debate that doesn't have to happen, take the courage and name the 53 Street building the Whitford Building, which will be a fitting honour for a man for a building that was built to give people hope and dignity, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, he was full of kindness, and his legacy to me will always be that. I ask Members today, if they would, break from tradition of normally staying silent when we thank someone in a eulogy, but to tap on your tables and let him hear, and he would have the greatest smile I can see on his face knowing that this Assembly not only loves him, cares for him, and wishes him Godspeed until we all meet again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the additional time as well today. Thank you.

Our condolences go out to his family and friends. Beautiful Member's statement. Thank you. Members' statements.