Thank you very much for inviting me here today. I'm so glad you were behind schedule, because I just got out of the House and I got to sit for 20 minutes or so and watch those fantastic, amazing projects that you have been working on. And I have to tell you, you energize us. This is exactly what we're looking for, what we're hoping for, and we want to be a partner with. So thank you for giving me that opportunity.
As you know, the Natural Resources Ministry covers a very wide range of subject matter and public policy, and I'm very happy to be with the wood folk today.
Good morning, everyone. Before I start in to my remarks, I just want to say what a warm welcome I've received as a Parliamentary Secretary from the folks in the nuclear sector, whether it's them coming to my office or inviting me to a meeting. And I'm so thrilled to see a number of people from my riding here in this room and, indeed, two mayors from my riding as well. So, love to see people from home, and welcome to Ottawa.
Well, thank you, not only for that generous introduction, but for the time we spent when we sat together yesterday - time spent over the last two days learning from the Chiefs, learning from community, learning about inclusion and balance and diversity. And to your National Chief: I know that I didn't write your speech, but I think you wrote mine, and I think that's going to become very clear over the next few minutes.
Thank you and good afternoon everybody. Merci et bon après-midi à tous. It's a pleasure to be here with my colleague, Minister McKenna, for such an important announcement, and I want to thank her for her leadership and hard work.
