Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to stand here in our new building today to make a Member's statement. I too, Mr. Speaker, would like to say a few words of congratulations on behalf of all the people of Yellowknife South and all the people of the Northwest Territories on the completion and the opening of this, their Legislative Assembly building.

We are very proud of our new home and optimistic that it will serve as a working place for all northerners. We, here in Yellowknife, are also very proud that many of our professional and trades people, apprentices and crafts persons, were involved in the design, construction and finishing of this unique building. They are very proud of a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, although this building will stand in our city, it is not and will not become only a Yellowknife institution. It is, and will remain, a place to represent all northerners. We, here in Yellowknife, will be the caretakers on your behalf. Yesterday was a historic day for all people of the north and a special thank you goes to all the people involved in working so hard to make that day a remarkable and memorable one. Thank you.

---Applause