Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are rapidly nearing our one-year anniversary as an Assembly and 1,053 days until the next election. As I reflect on this, I'm also mindful of today's opening prayer from former Commissioner Tuccaro on being a force of positive change for our communities. That is why we are here. But let me ask you, Mr. Speaker, are we better off today as a territory than we were a year ago? Have we made positive change on the most pressing issues facing Northerners?
Mr. Speaker, health care is in crisis, with doctors, nurses, and workers continuing to leave the profession in record numbers. 15 percent of the NWT is in public housing, 2 percent on the waiting list, 42 percent of NWT homes require repairs, 10 percent of the population lives in poverty. Climate change has irrevocably changed our way of life. It has destroyed the community of Enterprise which remains devastated after the 2023 wildfires. It is currently responsible for a humanitarian crisis in the Sahtu. All three diamond mines are set to close in 2031.
Mr. Speaker, I know that this government and this House are aware of these problems. Most of this list was cribbed from a fact sheet prepared by the Premier's office. Yet, where is the sense of urgency to take action? I don't see it. My constituents don't see it. Working people don't see it. What we do see is a government sleepwalking its way into one crisis after another. It is time to wake up, Mr. Speaker, and I am putting this government on notice that if things don't change, there will be consequences.
Mr. Speaker, this Assembly purposefully chose four priorities in order to ensure we could achieve real success and deliver on the needs -- of the greatest needs for our constituents - housing, health care, economy, and public safety. Clear, concise, small in number - four priorities. So let's get them done, Mr. Speaker.
No more action plans, no more ADMs, no more working groups. Let's get moving on legislation, let's get moving on spending, and make real lasting change before we fall so far behind our challenges, we can no longer catch up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. Members' statements. Member from Deh Cho.
