Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't believe I said that there would be ten mines coming on board. I think I said that we are speaking to some of the mining companies that could perhaps tie into the Taltson project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a general rule detailed business case information is not made public, and I just -- I'm saying that again. I've said that numerous times, it's not made public. You know, we are pleased, however -- talking about, you know, some of the mines that could buy the power. We're pleased to have received support and positive response from mining companies that are currently active here in the Northwest Territories and continue to monitor publicly-available information. We have assessed publicly-available information for ten mining companies with active interests here in the territories. We've had a number of conversations and there are significant interests in using green renewable energy from this Taltson project. Mr. Speaker, in fact, mining proponents have told us that access to green energy is critical to the successful advancement of their interests and its operations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Taltson steering committee, comprised of leadership from the GNWT, Akaitcho First Nation, and Northwest Territories Metis Nation, have not yet selected a preferred transmission line route for this project. We are currently considering two options. Phase one of the project, one that travels west around the Great Slave Lake following the existing highway network and one that travels directly to Yellowknife via submarine cable. Cost estimates for both options have recently been updated and are being reviewed on a confidential basis by our Indigenous partners as well as Canada Infrastructure Bank. Mr. Speaker, we collect more information and proceed towards a final construction decision in the coming years. We will continue to refine our project cost estimates. This is a complex transformational project and providing a global project cost estimate at this time is very premature. We recognize it is important that this project is done cost effective so that we could keep public informed of the progress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I stood up in the Legislative Assembly to thank residents and communities that hosted evacuees. I want to acknowledge that many communities have hosted evacuees that were not registered as part of the formal evacuation program. I want to thank the communities like Fort Resolution, and many others, that opened their doors and their hearts to their neighbours in this time of need. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, winter roads play a role in connecting families and businesses in the territory. Every year, they allow essential goods like fuel for electricity generation, heat, and transportation to be delivered to communities and homes. The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes the importance of these community lifelines and remains committed to building, operating, and maintaining accessible winter roads for all residents of the Northwest Territories. Today, I am providing an update on the GNWT's successful 2023 winter road season and fuel resupply activities.

Each year, highway crews in the Beaufort Delta, Sahtu, Deh Cho, and North Slave regions build and maintain approximately 1400 kilometres of winter roads, ice roads, and ice crossings. This important work connects the nine NWT communities that are not served by all-season roads while reducing the cost of living for residents who live there.

Many communities rely heavily on diesel and gasoline for electricity generation, heat, and transportation. Transporting fuel by winter road is the quickest and most cost-effective method of winter delivery. This year, the GNWT's season fuel resupply started on February 7th and was completed April 6th. The total volume of petroleum products delivered by winter roads totaled close to 5.2 million litres to six NWT communities.

The winter road season is always demanding on our fuel service and winter road teams, who have mere months to construct and make use of the seasonal connections. This year required particular diligence, attention to detail, and collaboration, as milder than normal temperatures early in the season, along with heavy snowfall, made conditions in some areas especially challenging.

The environmental challenges required even more oversight and administration from our teams. They conducted enhanced profiling and inspections, and responded to all issues, protecting the safety of the public and employees. Our team overcame challenging conditions by working closely with contractors, transport companies, and multiple divisions within the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge that the same conditions that required such tireless work from our staff and contractors also created challenging circumstances for our residents. To protect driver safety, it was necessary to open some winter roads later than usual and some closed with little warning in the spring. While this was necessary, I do recognize how frustrating this can be and I want to thank Northwest Territories residents for their patience as we all adjust to new patterns in the winter road season.

Mr. Speaker, our government's priority is to make strategic infrastructure investments that connect communities, expand our economy, and reduce the cost of living. The work done by our winter road staff and contractors helps achieve this priority, and this year required them to step up like never before. Thanks to their diligence and dedication, we had another safe and successful season. Our government will continue to work with the public and private sector's partners to maintain a dependable supply of essential goods and services to all Northwest Territories communities. Quyananni, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to redirect the question to Minister Julie Green. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I stand here as Deputy Premier, as well as wearing several Minister roles, I also have the opportunity to be able to redirect this question to another Minister that's able to provide more information on climate change and more specifically to the carbon tax issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to redirect to the Honourable Caroline Wawzonek. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. There's no restrictions on public service related to the use of the term crisis or emergency. The way we communicate climate change to our residents is important and the terminology we use ultimately plays a role in shaping public discussions. The GNWT uses climate change generally in our communications because it is commonly accepted and understood by residents.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize climate change is a highly political issue. So are the conscience of using the terminology that we could be dismissed or polarized by individuals who are holding very different views. Ultimately, there are a variety of factors, including audience engagement, political sensitivity, that shapes how this government communicates about complex issues, including climate change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Climate change represents serious and urgent challenges for the Northwest Territories, and the GNWT takes climate change action very seriously. Mr. Speaker, like look at us now, we're dealing with wildfires and floods so I mean, this is very real to us. The Climate Change Strategic Framework, as well as the energy strategy and their associated action plans, are guiding the GNWT's commitment to address climate change and its impact.

The Legislative Assembly has advanced a number of climate change related mandate items, including ensuring that all Executive Council and Financial Management Board decisions consider the context of climate change within all of their decisions.

As I noted, Mr. Speaker, adding climate change to the name of the new environment and climate change department demonstrates the importance this government places on climate change action. Mr. Speaker, the government and Premier Cochrane take climate change and impacts being felt in the North seriously. Like I said, she has spoken at length and in great detail at recent events, particularly to a national audience, about the severity of climate change in the North as well as some of the impacts felt by some of the Northwest Territories residents as well as our communities. This message is one that she is very passionate about, about trying to alert other Canadians the realities of climate change.

Mr. Speaker, I was at one of the events where the Honourable Premier Cochrane had spoken about that, you know, climate change is more active in the North. It is. I mean, we're seeing it on a yearly basis. So I mean, this is a message that this government is doing to ensure that we are getting the message out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.