Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the athletes, coaches, cultural delegates and mission staff who will be representing the Northwest Territories at the 2014 Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks later this month.

Mr. Speaker, in a little more than two weeks, the Government and Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories will be taking on new responsibilities for public lands, water and resources.

Mr. Speaker, jobs for Northerners are a priority of all Members of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road continues to serve our territory as a seasonal solution to community resupply and economic development. Today, this road is more important than ever as industry prepares to tap into the enormous resource potential in the Mackenzie Valley.