Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the privilege to attend the Council of Leaders. I was invited as chair of the accountability and oversight committee as an observer. I'd like to thank the Council of Leaders, the Indigenous leaders, our Premier and Cabinet for that invitation.
Mr. Speaker, I would say there's some kudos to be sent out. I think that certainly our Premier and his Cabinet did a great job in presenting to the federal Ministers. The Indigenous leaders likewise. It was very much a we are speaking with one voice, and I thought that was a great approach. And certainly some of the things they discussed down there, Mr. Speaker, housing, the ongoing criminal activity, health concerns and, of course, the major infrastructure projects.
While I was there, Mr. Speaker, there was also a presentation done by the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated as well as in collaboration with GNWT on the proposed Mackenzie Valley Highway. And, again, what I thought was a good presentation. There was some -- certainly some representation there from the federal government as well. And, Mr. Speaker, it's an exciting project. And I know, and I've heard the Minister speak about it today, that the Slave Geological Highway has kind of gotten a little more of a boost, I guess, from the federal government than the Mackenzie Valley Highway, but I think, Mr. Speaker, as a group, I think we need to make sure we continue to push and to ensure that the Mackenzie Valley Highway remains our number one priority. I think it's our road, it's good for everyone, it's good for the entire territory. Not only for the -- you know, for the defence and for sovereignty and the things that are important to our nation, and certainly important to us, but I would argue as an energy corridor as well, Mr. Speaker. We talk about we have mining -- the mines that are now closing down. We know, and I've said it many times, you know, we're sitting on 19 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Beaufort Delta. We've seen the Indigenous government in that region, the Inuvialuit, starting their own development in that process. So imagine, Mr. Speaker, not only would that provide an energy source, energy security within our own territory for us, Mr. Speaker, but also the revenue and the royalties that come with that to make us more of a have-territory and we're not sad here during budgets, Mr. Speaker, and fighting over the small amount of revenue that we do have. So, again, Mr. Speaker, I think the Mackenzie Valley Highway, we -- you know, we have an office set up in Ottawa. I had an opportunity to speak with our envoy down there. I had some very positive conversations. We need to continue that push. I think we need to continue to make sure that the Mackenzie Valley Highway is the number one project, Mr. Speaker. The Slave Geological, yes, it's important, but it's ten years out likely. We have permits in place, we are ready to put shovels in the ground in the Mackenzie Valley Highway. We need to keep that plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.
