Mr. Speaker, I would also like to rise and recognize that this upcoming Saturday, March 8th, is International Women's Day. It is an honour to be the Commonwealth woman parliamentarian for the Northwest Territories, and I'm pleased to note the importance of this day in the legislature.

There's no right way to be a woman. I mark this day by reaffirming my commitment to fight for the safety and equity of all women, girls, and gender-diverse folks. I mark this day by saying that we, and every single Canadian, has so much farther to go in responding to the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. I mark this day with mixed emotions. I have pride in our northern leadership that across the territory is full of strong leaders who are women and gender-diverse. I have pride that northern communities are full of women and gender-diverse folks helping each other flourish every day. But I'm also full of rage that violence perpetuated against women and gender-diverse folks in this territory and country is on the rise. I am annoyed and frustrated that issues that are often thought of as women's issues, such as childcare, are under-resourced.

Words have meaning, Mr. Speaker, but actions speak louder than words. Let all of us in this House recommit to what positive and lasting action looks like for northern women, girls, and gender-diverse folks across our territory and to support that action with sustainable funding and capacity for the organizations on the front lines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.