Good morning. I would like to call the meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee to order. I would like you to rise and I ask the Member for Hay River South to lead us in prayer this morning.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. I think all Members have a copy of the agenda in front of them. The next item on the agenda is the review and adoption of the agenda. Are there any additions or deletions to the agenda?

No.

If not, is the agenda adopted? Agreed?

Agreed.

Thank you. This is the first meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee for the Members of the 14^th Legislative Assembly. In front of you, in addition to the agenda is a package of information and various forms including the guidelines and procedures for selection of the Leadership Committee. These guidelines are available to the public and are at the front of the public gallery as well.

There are eight items listed that will assist Members in addressing how they are to proceed throughout this committee today and perhaps tomorrow.

Also, I would like to advise that we have interpretation services in Chipewyan, South Slavey and North Slavey, which are available to Members over the next two days. I think you will also get used to the translation receivers, which are before you. Your volume and channel selection is in front of you as well.

Members should be aware that they are not required to turn their microphones on and off. That will be done automatically for you.

Once you have chosen your Speaker-elect, that individual will assume the Chair of the Territorial Leadership Committee and will preside over the proceedings.

Also in front of Members, built into your desks, are the timing mechanisms. When speeches are being made, the clocks will count down the time available to you and you are asked to be mindful of the time limits that have been set and agreed to by all Members. In fairness, the Speaker-elect will be somewhat flexible on the time limitations. However, the cooperation of all Members will be appreciated in adhering to the limits.

Your proceedings are being broadcast on the Yellowknife Community Access Channel. CBC Radio will also be carrying certain portions of the proceedings on their network live, later on today.

This is a less formal committee than the House itself. When Members do wish to speak, they have the option of remaining seated or standing. Probably the best thing for the majority of the time would be if you remain seated, unless you are making a speech and choose to stand at that time. However, the choice is yours.

The next item on the agenda is item 5, election of Speaker. We will now proceed to item 5 on the agenda.

You have in your packages the Speaker selection guidelines. As per the guidelines, my first duty is to open the floor for nominations for the position of Speaker. Are there any nominations? Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Mr. Whitford, the Member for Kam Lake, do you accept the nomination?

Thank you, Mr. Whitford. Are there further nominations for the position of Speaker? Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Krutko, the Member for Mackenzie Delta, do you accept the nomination?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Are there any further nominations for the position of Speaker?

I see no further nominations. Nominations cease.

Therefore, we will prepare a ballot for the position of Speaker. We will need a few minutes to prepare those ballots. We will take a five-minute recess. When the bells ring, you are to return to the Chamber. Thank you.

-- Break

I would like to call the meeting of the Territorial Leadership Committee back to order. The ballots have been prepared and in accordance with the guidelines you will proceed to vote.

You proceed to either clerk on either side of the table here to receive and sign for your ballot. Once you receive your ballot take it to the voting compartments on either side of the Clerk's table to my left and to my right, then place them in the ballot box.

Once all Members have voted, the ballot box will be taken to the Clerk's office for counting. Upon the ringing of the bells, you will return for the announcement of the voting on the ballots. Members, please proceed now to receive your ballots and to cast your ballot for Speaker.

-- Voting commences

As indicated, the ballot box will now be taken to the Clerk's office and upon the ringing of the bells Members can return to the committee. Thank you.

-- Ringing of the bells

I will now call the meeting back to order. I would like to declare that you have elected the honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Tony Whitford, to be your Speaker.

-- Applause

This will require, as all Members are aware, the formal ratification according to the guidelines by the House on Wednesday. I would ask the Speaker-elect, Mr. Whitford, if he would now come and assume the Chair of the Territorial Leadership Committee.