Madam Speaker, and Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Fifth Session of the 12th Legislative Assembly.
I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation for the work of the Honourable Michael Ballantyne, who served this House well during the two years he sat in the Speaker's chair.
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May I also offer my congratulations for a job well done to the Dean of the Legislature, Ludy Pudluk, who also...
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...resigned Wednesday, as Deputy Speaker.
Congratulations are also in order for the Honourable Jeannie Marie-Jewell who was elected as the seventh Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Friday, and to Silas Arngna'naaq, who was elected to Cabinet, during the weekend.
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As you know, the Fifth Session will be recessed later this week, until February 9, when the main estimates for 1994-95 will be presented.
Of particular importance to government at this time, is the need for Members to discuss and establish spending priorities and agree to a process of managing the deficit. As a result, the Minister of Finance will be tabling a discussion paper on deficit management, before the business of this House is recessed for the holiday season.
Madam Speaker, during this session, your government will also be presenting a legislative program including the following bills for the consideration of the House: Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1994-95; Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; Workers' Compensation Act; Charter Communities Act; Cities, Towns and Villages Act; Hamlets Act; Personal Property Security Act; and, the Partnership Act. Madam Speaker, your government considers these bills essential to the good conduct of government business and I recommend passage of each of these acts.
I would now like to commend to you for your earnest consideration and wise judgement, the business of this House as I declare open, the Fifth Session of the 12th Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Before leaving the Chamber, Madam Speaker, I would like to wish each one of you, together with members of your family and the people of the Northwest Territories, a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
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