Members, welcome back to the Legislative Assembly. Thank you for being here today.

Motion 10-19(2) grants me the authority to recall the House before October 15, 2020, if, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, I am satisfied the public interest would be served by meeting. Last week, prior to giving notice of this recall, I consulted with the Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council and was convinced that the public interest required this House to sit.

As you know, last Wednesday, the Premier revoked the Member for Great Slave's appointments as Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Minister of Infrastructure.

A Minister without portfolio is a serious question in consensus government that all Members of this House must consider.

Members, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic adds to the seriousness of this situation. In this time of crisis, our residents expect us, as their elected representatives, to lead. Each of us must be the leaders our people need now. Due to the pandemic, our Chamber remains set up to allow Members to physically distance during the proceedings. I remind Members to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 by handwashing, hand sanitizing, and wearing non-medical masks when we cannot physically distance.

Members, this sitting will be a difficult one. While in this House, I ask that you conduct yourselves with the utmost respect for one another, this House, our rules, and our unique forum of consensus government. As Speaker, I will do my best to be a positive example for each of you. If you are unable to maintain an appropriate level of decorum, it will be my duty to enforce the rules, and I am prepared to do so.

The Legislative Assembly building remains closed to the public. However, the media can still attend and observe our proceedings. It is important that residents can see and understand the work being done. We continue to broadcast and live-stream our proceedings. This sitting will have interpretation in Chipewyan, French, and Tlicho languages. I want to thank our interpreters for their work.

Members, on June 15, 2020, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories gave her assent in writing to the following bills:

• Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021;
• Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2020-2021; and
• Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act.

Thank you. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.