Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe in accountability, and already did tell caucus that I would miss the opening of this session, of this Assembly.
I did so, Mr. Speaker, because some months ago, I had planned to visit my old parents in Wales, and did not believe when I bought my tickets, that this Assembly would agree to meet in the month of September. So I, in fact, had planned to be away during the month of September and changed my tickets several times, because it seems that the character of this particular Assembly is one which is completely different to previous ones. We seem to meet more often, and there seems to be a much busier schedule.
However, Mr. Speaker, having now made that a public fact, that I did miss the opening, for both the information of my constituents, and all other colleagues who did not know where I was when we opened on Wednesday. I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, that in the time that I was out of the country, I thought quite a bit about this place I have now called my home for more than 30 years. I found that the places I visited were not really happy places. The cost of living is very, very high, the people are not in particularly good spirits, the weather, as always, was awful and the cheapest meal I had during the last month was when I arrived in Edmonton last week, and had a meal at the Nisku Inn. It was the cheapest meal I, in fact, had for the month that I was away from Yellowknife. I am very, very happy to be back again amongst friends. Thank you.
---Applause