Mr. Speaker, as we come to the close of what has truly been a marathon sitting of this Assembly, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude.

First and foremost, I want to thank my wife and my family. Like the families of every Member in this House, they make the real sacrifice so that we can be here doing the work for the people of the Northwest Territories. Time away from home is never easy and their patience, understanding, and encouragement make it possible for me to serve the residents of Thebacha and all Northerners. I know every Member here shares the same appreciation for the support of their loved ones.

I also need to thank the constituents of Thebacha and my constituency assistant Sarah Morris who is back in Fort Smith holding down the fort.

I would also like to recognize and thank all Members of the Legislative Assembly. While we may not always agree on every issue, we all come here with the same purpose: to do our best for the people we represent. The long hours, the debates, the committee work, the difficult decisions are all part of that responsibility, and I respect the dedication that each Member brings to this chamber.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the public service and to the staff of the Legislative Assembly. Much of the work that keeps this institution functioning happens behind the scenes. Your professionalism, participation, and commitment ensures that Members are able to do our jobs effectively.

I would also like to take this time to make a special thank you to our interpreters. Your work is essential to this Assembly. You help ensure that our proceedings are accessible and respectful of the many languages of the Northwest Territories, and your dedication during these long days and late evenings has not gone unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, sessions like this remind us that governing is truly a team effort, from Members to staff to interpreters to the families who support us at home. It takes all of us working together.

Before I conclude, I would like to highlight an exciting weekend happening back home in Fort Smith. The community is gathering for the annual winter carnival, the Wood Buffalo Frolicks. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is always a wonderful event that brings residents together to celebrate the season, enjoy outdoor activities, and strengthen the strong sense of community that Fort Smith is known for. At the same time, the Joel Tetso Memorial Hockey Tournament will also be taking place. This tournament not only brings great hockey to the community but also honours the memory of Joel Tetso and continues to bring people together through sport, friendship, and community spirit. To every participating volunteer who organized these events, I wish you a safe and successful weekend. Mr. Speaker, with that, again, I'd like to thank everyone in this House. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.