Daniel McNeely

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks for the opportunity to close the debate on this motion here. I additionally wanted to mention here if we look on the spirit of this Assembly's mandate to economic reconciliation with the Indigenous governments, here is one example how to do that and unlocking the Sahtu would mean that this region is 283,000 square kilometers, twice the size of the Maritime provinces, so you can see the potential within this area. And I would request a recorded vote there. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the Mackenzie River Basin has been experiencing drought and low water levels since 2022, which has disrupted the re-supply of communities by barge;

AND WHEREAS the disruption of barging routes has created extraordinary logistical challenges and costs to deliver goods and supplies to impacted communities;

AND WHEREAS communities in the Sahtu region estimate over a collective $14 million in lost or delayed business opportunity, including logistical and shipping expenses as a result of the 2024 cancelled barge;

AND WHEREAS the Mackenzie Valley Highway has been a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Minister for that information here. What are the department plans for recruitment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also recognize Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty. We had the privilege of serving and working together during the 18th Assembly. And also as we depart for the summer, I'd like to say my sincere thanks and recognition to the support staff that we have in this House here from the cooks, to the pages, to the clerical staff that we have. We wouldn't be as efficient without their support, so they should be recognized also for the many hours. And everybody in this Assembly here on the spirit of collaboration of working together. Have a safe summer. Thank you. Mahsi...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Highway has been in the plans for decades. With today's low water levels and the inability to transport goods using the barge services into the Sahtu, the highway is the only climate change adaptation solution.

Mr. Speaker, October 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories released the developer's assessment report for the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway. This comprehensive report assesses the potential environmental, socio-economic impacts of constructing an all-season highway. Mr. Speaker, this report triggers the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too rise in support of the motion here. I can only imagine the devastation and the stressful environment. As we've always said, our home is our kingdom. And to lose that, I'm just totally lost for words on how the individuals having lost all that life's earnings gone up in smoke, and I really feel for the victims of last year's season. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I put this motion forward with the encouragement of the whole Assembly's support for the reasons being that you can only visualize the impacts of last year's barging season and this year's total barging season and the many negative impacts not only to project delays but postponements, additional costs and, most importantly, the layoffs for the people that are affected by the delaying of the project or the cancellation of the whole project totally. That has a stressful impact on the family income, the mortgage commitments, additional costs of living, and the whole...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, will be supporting this amended motion. After working on a number of job sites, safety is paramount. So now we got to think, as legislators and public officers of the communities that we represent, community safety. With climate change so much different and various impacts over the last several years, more so than several decades ago. So given all the elements, I think we need to act as good managers and have our efficiencies and safety manuals, safety precautions, safety procedures, and this is only increasing the safety of the community and the safety of the...

Thank you, colleagues, Mr. Speaker. I am very proud to announce that four students will be graduating from Colville Lake School this year are.

Rachele Blancho,

Devin Kochon,

Bobbie Lafferty, and

Troy Tutcho.

The entire community of Colville Lake and the Sahtu region want to congratulate these young fellows or young adults, graduates. We wish them the very best in their education journey and career choices. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as we conclude the last two days of our spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly until October, I'd like to express my heartfelt recognition of two important dates that hold significance for the Indigenous peoples across Canada and, more particularly, here in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21st, is a day to celebrate and honour the diverse cultures, unique heritage, and outstanding achievements of Canada's First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. This day has been celebrated since 1996 coinciding with the...