Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, December 11th was election day for 35 hamlets and two settlement corporations across the NWT. This was the same day, as you know, that the Nunavut capital vote took place. I am sure the Members of this House can appreciate that election officials were extremely busy.
Mr. Speaker, there were 177 council positions available on community councils, for which there were 399 candidates. Of the 37 communities requiring to hold elections, only two communities acclaimed their full council. The department has advised that it is waiting for the official results from four communities. The information available at this time shows that there were 11,360 eligible voters, of which 7,623 cast their ballots. That, Mr. Speaker, calculates to a 67 per cent territorial-wide voter turn-out. Complete information respecting the election will be made available to this House as soon as we receive it.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and the Members of this House, I would like to extend congratulations to all the newly-elected officials and extend our sincere appreciation to those who ran. There are many challenges facing locally-elected officials. I extend my best wishes to them as they take on their new responsibilities and offer the expertise and services of the Municipal and Community Affairs department to assist them as they undertake their duties.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, as well, to inform this House of the department's efforts to ease the transition period of new councillors. We're offering...I'm used to speaking Inuktitut so it's getting confusing. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased, as well, to inform this House of the department's efforts to ease the transition period of new councillors. We are offering municipal and community governments the opportunity to train elected officials of their roles and responsibilities using training modules set up by the department. Our staff will be advising all hamlets and settlement corporations of these orientation sessions and scheduling workshops to occur in the near future.
Thank you and merry Christmas, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause