Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to rise today to hail the restoration of democracy in Iqaluit.
---Applause
Hallelujah!
I wish to give my warmest congratulations to the new mayor of Iqaluit, Mr. Joe Adla Kunuk.
Mr. Kunuk's election as mayor is particularly noteworthy because he is the first Inuk mayor of Iqaluit since Mr. Joe Tikivik was mayor in the early 1970s.
---Applause
Congratulations, Joe Kunuk.
The new councillors are, in order of votes obtained: Mr. Ben Ell; Ms. Natsiq Kango; Mr. Jimmy "Flash" Kilabuk; Mr. Abe Okpik; Mr. Tom Demcheson; Mr. Bryan Hellwig; Mr. Kenn Harper; and, Mr. Geosah Uniuqsaraq.
I would like to thank the hard-working members of the municipal advisory committee which was ably co-chaired by Anne Crawford and Bob Hanson; Mr. Mike Ferris, municipal administrator; and, Mr. Bill Collings, acting senior administration officer.
The Big Mac, as it was called, accomplished a great deal under difficult circumstances, including the resolution of the residential lot land crisis we faced earlier this summer. They were ably supported by Mr. Ferris and Mr. Collings.
I would like to thank the former Minister of MACA, the Honourable Silas Arngna'naaq, for meeting with the community and the municipal advisory committee, in April, while he was Minister, and for making some critical decisions at that time, including agreeing to call the election September 27, 1994.
I would also like to thank the present Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, the Honourable Rebecca Mike, for being present in Iqaluit on election night to welcome the new mayor and council, and for her public pledge of continued, ongoing support from her department. May I say to Ms. Mike, if she would ever like advice from me about which one of my constituents she should or should not have dinner with, I would be pleased to give it any time. Thank you.
---Laughter