Mahsi, Mr. Simpson. I will go to Mr. Abernethy, Premier candidate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. This kind of goes back to some of the questions we were asked much earlier about developing a northern workforce. We have a significant number of individuals, as I've indicated I think three times already today, in the 18 to 24 year age that don't even consider themselves to be part of the workforce. We need to focus in on these individuals, identify the type of work that's required in the Northwest Territories. We need people who can do bookkeeping; we need people to do finance; we need people in trades. There is a significant amount of trades work that is still being done here in the Northwest Territories.

We also have a fantastic college in Fort Smith that actually provides trades training. That college seems to be having lower and lower enrolments. We have to figure out why that is. Why are enrolments decreasing in Fort Smith and what can we do with our residents to encourage them that this is the right place to go? We need to actually get out and talk to some of these young people who are not working and find out why they aren't working. We need to continue to move forward with the development of a workforce development strategy so we can figure out what type of training is required so we can get out there and pursue these young people, as well as others, and ensure we are training them for jobs that actually exist in the Northwest Territories. Train our Northerners for northern work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. This is a very important area and something that we've been trying to address for a long time. I know not everyone should aspire to go to university. I think trades is a very good way to make a very healthy living. I think we've had a lot of discussions with the mining industry. We've run out of northern Aboriginal or even northern tradespeople. What we need to do, I think, and it's been suggested and we've looked at a number of different models, the German model where they stream people at a younger age into the trades. That seems to work quite well. In trying to hire more people at the mines, we've worked very closely with the mines to increase the number of apprenticeship positions. I think we need to focus on apprenticeship programs and find ways to get more northern youth to take apprenticeship programs, so not only will they benefit from having a trade but also they will get jobs and utilize our post-secondary education facilities here in the Northwest Territories. I think we have to work very closely with the schools and make sure that students are aware of all the different opportunities.

I did a radio show yesterday morning and one of the students called in and asked where the jobs were. Certainly one of the best areas is getting into the trades program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect.

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Next on my list is Mr. Schumann, Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. My question to both Members today will be around the potential building of the pellet mill in Enterprise.

I would like to know what they would do to ensure capacity building for both FMA holders in Fort Res and Fort Providence in ensuring that this project moves forward and from all levels of government and from all departments. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Schumann. First I will go to Mr. McLeod, Premier candidate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. I see the building of the pellet mill in Enterprise as a very important addition to our economy. We've been trying to develop the forestry industry for many, many years and there's always been a problem with access to timber. I think it was a very significant achievement for the proponent to be able to negotiate forestry agreements both in the Fort Providence area and Fort Resolution area.

As a government, we have been totally supportive every step of the way. We have to deliver in the areas of building capacity, helping build the necessary expertise to be able to harvest the timber on a feasible basis. We've committed to fund on that basis. Our departments are very involved in that area on the production side. Also, we would have to work with the proponent to determine the types of jobs and skills required at the pellet mill.

On the consumption side as a government, we have indicated we purchase a lot of pellets because we have converted almost all of our facilities to wood pellets. So, we think it's in our best interest to buy pellets, northern-made wood pellets. We will continue to work very closely with the proponent and his business partners in communities that sign on. It's very exciting to see, if you look at the vision for not only the pellet mill but for the pellet mill and for the harvesting for the communities that could potentially benefit from this project. We will be doing our part, working with the proponent to see this come to fruition and be a very successful part of our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect.

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. I will turn it over to Mr. Abernethy, Premier candidate.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. This is actually an incredibly exciting project. This is the type of project that we, as Northerners, must continue to pursue and make happen, make a reality here in the Northwest Territories. This is a great example of many departments within the Northwest Territories working together. Public Works and Services took the lead in arranging our purchase agreements with the future provider and we are going to buy all our pellets from that individual, that company, to heat our buildings, our facilities here in the Northwest Territories. We have made a commitment to that for an extended period of time. It also took ENR and ITI working together around stumpage and forest management. I think this is a great example of how working together we can accomplish things, but it's mostly due to the proponent, who has been an incredible champion and advocate for new businesses speaking outside the box.

I think we need, as a government, to get more people looking at this type of opportunity. This industry is bringing people from communities all over the South Slave together to do harvesting, which is going to create meaningful employment. We're going to have a product in the Northwest Territories that is completely renewable, and we are going to be spending our money in the Northwest Territories on a northern production, rather than buying oil and having our profits shipped directly south.

This is a great project. I can't really add more than my colleague has already indicated. We are working together with the proponent. We are going to continue to work together with the proponent, and I think we should use it as an example of what is possible here in the Northwest Territories thinking outside the box in making real change in how we're supporting diversified economies here in the Northwest Territories.

Mahsi, Mr. Abernethy. Mahsi, Members, for your questions. It appears that all Members exhausted all their questions to the Premier candidates.

Members of the public, before we vote, I would like to thank both candidates who have agreed to put their names forward for Premier. This has been a long morning, but a worthwhile initiative. You have given us all confidence in whoever is chosen to be our Premier will be up for the job. We all know that. I think this experience indicates the process we use to select the Premier is an open and transparent one.

Members are now asked to proceed to the Clerk's Table where they will be given their ballot. If Members could then proceed to the voting booth to mark their ballot and then place it in the ballot box in front of the Clerk's Table.

---Voting Commences

Are there any more Members wishing to vote who have not voted yet? There being none, I will proceed with my vote.

---Voting Commences

Members, I declare the voting process closed. The ballot box will now be taken to the Clerk's office where ballots will be counted. The bells will be rung for five minutes to bring Members back in once the results are determined. Mahsi.

---SHORT RECESS

I would just like to say we just had a vote count. I declare you have elected Mr. Bob McLeod as your Premier.

---Applause

Mahsi, Members. Congratulations to Mr. Bob McLeod. The appointment will be confirmed tomorrow by motion in the House. I would now like to give Mr. Bob McLeod an opportunity to say a few words.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. I just had to make sure I grabbed the right speech.

---Laughter

Welcome to the 18^th Assembly. This will be an Assembly of change and better government. Mr. Speaker-elect, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Members in demonstrating their confidence in me by designating me to be the Premier of the Northwest Territories for a second term.

I would also like to take this opportunity to formally thank the people of Yellowknife South for electing me to represent them as their Member of the Legislative Assembly for a third term. They have placed their trust in me and my leadership and I intend to honour that trust.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my wife, Melody; my family: my son, Warren; his wife, Shannon; my grandsons, Carter and Cooper; my brother Michael McLeod; my niece Joyce McLeod; my niece Brenda Gauthier; and all my friends who are here today. Your support and patience is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, as well, to Mr. Glen Abernethy for standing to be Premier.

---Applause

I know Mr. Abernethy to be a committed and experienced Minister who believes wholeheartedly in his duty to the people of the Northwest Territories. In the past government, he was responsible for advancing significant government priorities like anti-poverty and health system reform in a quiet and effective way.

Should I be confirmed as Premier, I look forward to working with Mr. Abernethy again and will be relying greatly on his insight, common sense and good judgment.

I also want to thank all of you who will be standing for election as Members of the Executive Council and congratulate those of you who will be selected by our colleagues to make up the next Cabinet. As Ministers, we will be entrusted with a significant responsibility by our fellow MLAs, and we will all have to work hard to maintain that trust given to us on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories.

A clear message that I heard from voters during the election campaign is that they want to see positive change in territorial politics. They want to see a government that is more transparent and open to input from the public on priorities and decisions. They want Members of the Legislative Assembly to work together more closely to provide solutions. It is incumbent upon us all, as Members of the 18^th Legislative Assembly, to give the people of this territory the kind of government they want and deserve.

I have already stated my own commitment to greater openness, transparency and accountability. I believe Members here share a similar commitment, and I am confident that working together we can forge a new style of government, one more in keeping with the expectations of Northerners.

It is also incumbent upon us to represent all residents of the Northwest Territories in communities, big and small. In our work here together, we must ensure that we take into account the interest and concerns of all residents. People in small communities must sometimes feel that their challenges and concerns go unheard. Making their voices part of the discussion will be an important goal for me, so we can ensure we are governing in the best interest of the whole Territories.

We have devoted much of this week to discussing the priorities that will guide the work of the 18^th Legislative Assembly. I have heard many good ideas this week and seen a great desire of Members to make a positive difference for the people of the Northwest Territories. We have talked about addressing the high cost of living, settling land claims, investing in our young people, meeting the need for housing and about making the switch to alternative renewable energy, among many others.

We have also talked about the fiscal realities facing the territory and the resource limitations that will shape our work going forward. We know the revenue outlook for this government is flat at best and that we will have to make some tough choices together to align our expenditures with the money we are bringing in. That is not an ideal situation, but this is not the first Assembly to face this kind of challenge. Previous Assemblies have managed their way through similar situations and I have every confidence that we will as well.

Pending formal confirmation of the motion of appointment tomorrow, I am committing to working with you all to advance the priorities we have established together within the resources that we have. With challenges, there are always opportunities. I will be relying on Members and on my colleagues in Cabinet for their advice, input and direction on how we identify and make the most of those opportunities.

Mr. Speaker-elect, in electing the 19 of us to represent them, the people of the Northwest Territories have given Members of the Legislative Assembly both the opportunity and responsibility for shaping the future of this territory. As I look around this Chamber, I see the right mix of enthusiasm and experience, energy and new ideas to get that job done. I will be honoured to serve as your Premier and thank Members again for their confidence in me. Thank you.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Bob McLeod and Members. I will now adjourn our proceedings this morning. We will reconvene at 1:30 this afternoon for the election of the Executive Council members. Mahsi cho.

---SHORT RECESS

I would like to call the Territorial Leadership Committee back to order. The next item on our agenda is the election of the Members of Executive Council. In accordance with our agreed upon procedures, I will ask Members to indicate whether they wish to allow their names to stand for the Executive Council positions. The 2-2-2 geographic balance on Cabinet will govern all aspects of this selection process. Once Members indicate their interest, we will entertain a 10-minute speech from each nominee before we proceed to voting. Let's get things underway.

At this time I will ask all Members from the northern constituencies who wish to allow their names to stand for a position on the Executive Council to rise. Mahsi.

I have Mr. Alfred Moses, Mr. Robert C. McLeod and Mr. Danny McNeely who have indicated they wish to be considered for Executive Council membership. Mahsi.

I would now like to ask all Members from the southern constituencies who wish to allow their names to stand for a position on Executive Council to please rise. Mahsi cho.

I have Mr. Schumann, Hay River South; Mr. Thompson, Nahendeh; Mr. Sebert, Thebacha; and Mr. Beaulieu, Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

To bring this proceeding to an end, I would like to ask all those Members from the Yellowknife constituencies who wish to allow their names to stand for a position on Executive Council to please rise. Mahsi.

For Yellowknife constituencies I have Mr. Abernethy, Ms. Cochrane, Ms. Green and Mr. Vanthuyne.

The nominees for Executive Council positions are as follows: northern constituencies in alphabetical order, Mr. McLeod, Mr. McNeely, Mr. Moses; southern constituencies, Mr. Beaulieu, Mr. Schumann, Mr. Sebert, Mr. Thompson; Yellowknife constituencies, Mr. Abernethy, Ms. Cochrane, Ms. Green and Mr. Vanthuyne.

At this time each candidate is permitted to make a 10-minute speech. The speeches will be made in alphabetical order by geographical area and by surname. We will start with the northern constituency nominees. I call upon Mr. Robert C. McLeod. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker-elect. First of all I would like to congratulate our Premier-elect, Mr. Bob McLeod, and congratulate yourself on your election as Speaker. I am confident you will lead and represent this institution with the respect and dignity it deserves.

Members of the 18^th Legislative Assembly, I stand before you to put my name forward for your consideration as a member of the Executive of the 18^th Legislative Assembly.

I treat people how I expect to be treated, maintain an open and transparent relationship with MLAs and Ministers, committees, Aboriginal governments, federal Ministers and non-government organizations. I am straightforward and honest and come from the old school of ripping the band-aid off as opposed to doing it slowly. I believe in fairness and the equitable application of government policy and programs. I do not believe in special deals; and if there is something wrong with a government policy or it does not address an issue, we need to look at that policy. Many times Members of committees have identified flaws in government policies under departments I had responsibility for. Where it made sense, I directed the department to develop options and work through the committee process to effect change. I believe in the committee process. It adds value to the work of the government and ensures the insights and different perspectives of MLAs in regions and communities and their constituents are included in the discussions.

I believe our committee system allows for the development of the best possible policies and legislation because we work together, and I want to assure you all that this is a priority of mine.

I also believe in being open with Members and their research staff. Since I became Minister, I have directed departments to provide the research department with the same briefing material that I am provided for business plans and main estimates, with the exception of notes containing personal information. I know this was useful for staff and Members and made for better discussions when I was a Regular Member.

It is very important to keep committees in the loop on emerging issues. Where practical, I have appeared before committees to brief them and seek advice, or have sent correspondence to committee chairs, seeking input and outlining what the issue is and the proposed steps that are being taken. I maintain that is very disrespectful of the role MLAs are expected to have in consensus government, if they are finding out about government decisions in the media.

I have an open door policy and welcome your input and advice. I may not always take it, but I will tell you why I won't take it.

I believe I have a good track record as a Minister. Sometimes hard choices have to be made, and I believe we have to focus on the end result and what the consequences for the residents will be in making these hard decisions.

In conjunction with standing committee, I was successful in transferring responsibility for rent tax calculation back from ECE to the Housing Corporation. We heard a lot that the involvement of two government departments in the delivery of social housing was confusing to clients and, while well intentioned, caused more problems than it was supposed to solve.

I am grateful to the MLAs from the 16^th and 17^th Assemblies who had the political courage to affect change. This was a whole change in the housing culture for the NWT. If you did not pay your rent or your mortgage, there were now consequences. It was hard on MLAs and housing staff as those who chose to ignore their last chance to stay in their homes were evicted or foreclosed on. But it was these hard times that set the stage for us to lower the maximum rental rates for public housing from 30 percent of a family's income to no more than 19 percent. This, combined with the graduated rental scale, effectively removed the disincentive to work.

This also allowed us to retool the Mortgage Program so those clients who faithfully paid their mortgages saw their mortgages either paid out or greatly reduced and gave those mortgage clients with less than stellar repayment records the opportunity to remortgage and enter into an affordable repayment plan.

I have no issue in stating that the number of housing complaints that MLAs in my office were getting at the end of the 17^th Assembly were lower than any time since they built the first social housing units in the valley back in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

In MACA, with committee support, the amount of money available for youth programming was increased threefold in the last seven years. The Youth Ambassador Program is being emulated across Canada as a way to develop future leaders. I am very proud of the support and opportunity for NWT youth that our programming provides.

In the last Assembly I directed the department to work collaboratively with the NWT Association of Communities and the local government administrators to develop a new funding formula to deliver funding to communities. The end result is a formula that recognizes the need for increased funding for larger regional centres and does not overly penalize those communities that are currently overfunded. We need to work together to find the money to implement the new funding formula; and it's a major priority for me, as an MLA or as a Minister, should you see fit to put me on Cabinet again.

I was also the first Minister responsible for the Department of Lands. As one of the three responsible Ministers, I took my role very seriously as we worked through what our responsibilities are in a post-devolution world.

I think change in the federal government in Ottawa bodes well for a truly regulatory regime, one that recognizes our regional land and water boards and takes into account the wishes of this Assembly and the people of the NWT. This past weekend we met with members of the Aboriginal governments, the YWCA, the Native Women's Association and the NWT Association of Communities and heard from them what their priorities are.

We also went through our own priority-setting exercise over the last few days, and I listened closely as Members outlined their priorities for the 18^th Assembly.

I welcome the opportunity, with the support of my colleagues, to be part of a team that will be tasked with moving many of these priorities forward.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Next on the list is Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Speaker-elect, Premier-elect, and the 18^th Legislative Assembly colleagues here. Just bear with me. I've got a bit of a cold here. Not to mention any names where it came from, but watch out.

---Laughter

Anyway, to carry on. Our NWT democracy has spoken on November 23^rd that brought us here together today. Voters granted us, 19 of us, the respectful honour to define a clear mandate for a pan-territorial vision built on the solid foundation of transparency and accountability. Although we face many headwinds, I have every confidence that we will all work together and capitalize on the individual strengths of our diverse team sitting around here today. We will be able to overcome any challenges confronting our territory.

I am not a defender of the status quo. If change is needed, and it certainly is, as a Minister, I will take that directive to heart. Every team needs a strong leader and leaders who aren't afraid of hard work, and I am respectfully seeking your support today for a ministerial appointment within Cabinet.

My own varied background has prepared me well for this senior role within the Assembly. This includes:

1. 35 years spent working in the private and public sector;
2. experience as a Sahtu land claims negotiator;
3. understanding the challenges faced by our communities through time spent as an elected counsellor in Fort Good Hope;
4. a strong desire to build a brighter future for all residents that grows out of 33 years-plus I've spent with my caring wife, Beverly, three wonderful children and seven grandchildren.

Nationally, we all know that we have a newly-minted federal Liberal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is clearly focused on stimulating the economy with infrastructure development while protecting the environment and creating jobs. Fortunately, for the first time in more than a decade, our Member of Parliament is part of that government and will have a strong voice for us in Ottawa, providing we speak together with clarity from this institution.

When I look at the obstacles before us, like the recent closure of the Snap Lake diamond mine, for example, I remain confident in our ability to succeed. The 17^th Legislative Assembly has set a table for us in many ways. They have opened new doors for us into international markets like China, which has huge implications in terms of tourism, growth and resource development potential.

Our predecessors have also completed the devolution deal with Ottawa. We must now follow through on the implementation and remaining issues for completion. Having been intimately involved in the Sahtu Land Claim negotiations, I understand the benefits of clarity. At the same time, I see the need for renewed efforts to encourage the completion of land claim agreements throughout our territory. To help deliver this commitment, Cabinet must help plot a new course for territorial negotiators, one that includes amended policy and revised mandates so that the system has enough flexibility to reach deals with unsettled claimant groups. We need to build respectful government-to-government relationships with all Aboriginal groups throughout the territory. We can't continue to allow paper to divide us.

I welcome mid-term reviews and the policy being developed to address that. This surely is a principle for prudent and effective management. I would support finding new ways to connect with the public. Decentralizing Caucus and committee meetings and getting them out of Yellowknife and into the regions would be a good starting point.

Our government inherits the construction of the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Additionally, the Department of Transportation is the proponent in the ongoing Mackenzie Valley Highway extension project from Fort Wrigley to Norman Wells. It is currently the focus of review board environmental assessment with public hearings expected within the first half of this Assembly. Combining these two highways will cost Canadians in excess of $1 billion. If we are to see them through to completion, it is critical that Cabinet include leaders with intimate knowledge of these projects as well as others being discussed with increasing regularity, such as the Tlicho region's Whati all-weather road. It would be imperative that we engage with the federal government to access appropriate funds for these critical investments in our territorial transportation network.

We also need powerful voices in Cabinet who understand the importance of building strong, healthy communities. In addition to our targeted infrastructure investments to reduce the cost of living and improve the quality of life for residents, we can't lose sight of other important community capital needs ranging from the new school in Colville Lake to upgrades on Highway No. 7 through the Wood Buffalo National Park, and from an updated health centre in Fort Simpson to dealing with the ongoing housing issues facing our Northwest Territories area.

It has always been my experience that local people understand the best untapped opportunities around them. We need to find new, creative ways to invest our people by seeking leadership roles, especially our youth in looking for further education to start their own home-based community businesses or other initiatives they may choose. We must find ways to help them pursue their dreams. I hope to be a champion within Cabinet for any good ideas.

Our environment. Our environmental regulatory regime is also at an important stage in its evolution as we will be the first MLA group to collectively hold the reins of our world-class co-management system for the entirety of our term in office. In the Sahtu, for example, I've seen how a process based on regional control and engagement leads to respectful, sound decisions for the benefit of all residents without sacrificing our natural environment.

Around the NWT our integrated system has grown from settled land claims. Although it is working well enough today, it still needs much attention. There are legislative blind spots that must be fleshed out. Other updates are likely coming soon to the federal Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and we have new regulatory tools like the NWT project certificates slated to take effect in the coming months. It's now our fundamental responsibility, in most cases, to oversee the implementation of these changes. We need to take the same co-management approach when engaging with Aboriginal groups on wildlife issues that we can better understand the challenges impacting the caribou herds, in particular the most reversed Bluenose-East and Bluenose-West herds and the Bathurst collapses, which are an important resource to so many people in so many communities. We need to answer these challenges together using both traditional and scientific knowledge, so that the cornerstone of the North, our caribou, are available for generations to come.

We also need to take clear steps to help free our communities from the independence on diesel power. With a suite of cleaner energy options now proven to the North, as leaders we can encourage broader options of those climate change fighting technologies such as wind, water, solar, LNG, geothermal, biomass. All hold potential in different corners of our territory. We need to invest in the technology that advances this important initiative. The federal government is making $100 million available each year for clean energy infrastructure. We need a Cabinet dedicated to ensuring the NWT gets its fair share of funding.

Mr. McNeely, your time has expired. Thank you. If you can conclude your comments in 30 seconds, please. Mahsi.

I ask for your support to commit to working all together constructively, ensuring this institution is dignified by the representation. The responsibility of government is to build schools, infrastructure, jobs, to create jobs, and tailored programs and services. Mr. Speaker-elect and colleagues, I aim to do just that. Mahsi.

---Applause

Mahsi, Mr. McNeely. Next on my list is Mr. Moses.