Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to talk about an opportunity that can support our workforce, diversify our economy, and just make sure life is just a little bit more enjoyable. It all starts by working through the Apprenticeship, Trade, and Occupational Certification Act and that particular program, Mr. Speaker. I am going to highlight two issues in this area of opportunity, but I am going to probably drill down a little further on one.

The first one we've all probably heard of, it's called landscaping and horticulture. Did you know it's a red seal trade program? Across the country, you can get certification in that. You can get support through Alberta, BC, Ontario, and many other jurisdictions.

Now, I am going to test the Assembly today. Does anyone really flow what a lather and interior systems mechanic is? I hear silence, Mr. Speaker. You know why? Because no one knows what that is. It's drywaller for goodness sakes. And they're everywhere. They're key to our economy. They're key to building. So like horticultures, they provide essential services. Like drywallers, drywallers fix buildings and help maintain and bring them to life, horticulturists are landscaping people who help bring our community to life through sustainability options, health and beauty, trees, plants. They do many things to aid in the biodiversity of our community, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, two opportunities, and there are many more, speaking of which that the NWT trades program could expand and ask itself how are we supporting these trades.

I had asked someone in the trade the other day often do you see drywallers apprentice. They said they don't; they all come up from down south. I said but they're everywhere, like mushrooms after a fire; they just bloom. But yet sure enough, no one is training them. There is no trades program for drywallers in the Northwest Territories. I got asked by someone in the landscaping and horticulture business why isn't the trades program facilitating their staff so they could take on this training. It helps their skills, it helps our neighbours, it helps our community, and it empowers the workers to earn more money and to provide expertise in areas that people don't necessarily get.

Mr. Speaker, if we want to talk back to the point of saying an opportunity to strengthen or workforce, diversify our economy, and see a real opportunity that has been sort of going by, let's pause for a moment and ask ourselves is there a way to start facilitating these opportunities. And I certainly say there is ways we can strengthen our community, empower workers, and do more for Northerners as we move forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.