Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all I would like to thank David Krutko and Norman Yakeleya for submitting my name for the Cabinet position. As I indicated during the 15th Assembly when we first started, I was not able to consider a position for a portfolio like this for a Cabinet, but with the recent movement over the last couple of days and in contacting my constituents back home last night, with their confidence in me submitting my name for Cabinet, I feel right now that I can move forward with all Members here. I think it's a very important portfolio when you sit on Cabinet, that you represent the people of the Northwest Territories.
We all know we have a code of conduct that we have to abide by, and I believe in that strongly.
Just to give the Members some background on what I've done in the past: I was the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk; I was a councillor for three terms in Tuktoyaktuk; I was also involved on the board of directors during the Inuvialuit final land claim agreement. I also sat down with the Environmental Impact Review Board on the IFA. I've been involved with the local education authority in Tuktoyaktuk and the Tuk Housing Association, so I have a pretty good background in terms of small-term politics and I think it's very important and having a background in things like that might help out in terms of the long-term mission for the Northwest Territories.
Like I say, it's unfortunate that we have to sit down together and choose a new Member, but again it's something that the Members all agree to. There's not much more I can say, except I talked to my people back home last night, after the decision by the House, and I'm looking forward to your support. Again, I will help work for the people of the Northwest Territories if I become elected to Cabinet. Thank you.
---Applause