Mr. Speaker, Premier and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to commend you for your time, commitment and the amount of work you have been able to complete in this short session. Your legislative schedule has been intense. I'm sure each of you is looking forward to an opportunity to return to your constituencies across the Northwest Territories.
As you do, I wish you Godspeed and safe travels. I hope that a good part of your summer will be spent in the surroundings of your families, friends, homes and communities.
I urge you to take the time to stop and appreciate the beauty, the warmth, the uniqueness and the potential of this territory you collectively represent.
At this time of year, many of our territory's young people are celebrating their graduation from high school - a sure sign of spring. Congratulations to all graduates.
It was my pleasure to travel recently with the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew up to Paulatuk to attend graduation ceremonies for three ladies: Mary Green, Irene Ruben, Molly Ruben -- all of whom graduated from the early childhood education program at Aurora College in Inuvik.
For them, and for all graduates, the ceremony represents the realization of a dream, a time of transition, a time of change and a time to move forward. It was a big day.
This month also marks the beginning of our summer assembly season. I hope that these occasions will be an opportunity for us to come together as people of the Northwest Territories and be a source of renewal and inspiration.
On June 21st we will celebrate, with all Canadians, National Aboriginal Day. It is both fitting and a source of personal pride that in the Northwest Territories, we choose to acknowledge this day with a statutory holiday.
The June 21st celebrations will provide a special opportunity for families to celebrate the values, traditions, languages and cultures of the Inuvialuit, Dene, Metis, and people who help define us as a territory.
The NWT is a place that values healthy people and communities, a place where the system of governance reflects the rightful role of aboriginal governments, and a place where economic partnerships are flourishing among southern, northern and especially aboriginal companies.
I encourage you all to join in the many cultural events and celebrations that are scheduled to take place across the NWT.
As Commissioner I look forward to traveling this weekend to Inuvik to join in the celebrations for opening the new Inuvik Regional Hospital. Next week in Yellowknife, I am looking forward to attending the gala ball and musical ride celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the Northwest Territories.
I trust and hope that I will encounter many of you during these and my other travels.
And now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following Bills: Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act; Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act; Bill 12, Nursing Profession Act; Bill 13, Deh Cho Bridge Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act; Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act; Bill 16, Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, 2003; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act; and, Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2003-2004. Thank you.
