The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Ms. Mike is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? Ms. Mike, go ahead.

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, there was an investigation done surrounding the incident and the results were announced by the RCMP that there would be no further charges laid, other than the charges that I laid against my offender.

Mr. Speaker, I have never asked for special treatment, nor am I asking now. I don't want my colleagues to think this is what it is; asking for special treatment. It isn't. If anyone should admit their mistakes, I would be the first one in line to do so. I know in this territory of ours, we have a large population of honest people who many of us are proud of, and I have always tried not to lose sight of that.

a Member, was upholding the belief we talked about; unfortunately, I was victimized for it.

Finally, I would like to thank my constituents for being with me every step of the way while I was going through this turmoil. Thank you very much. Qujannamiik. Mahsi cho.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Ms. Mike. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.

Brian Lewis Yellowknife Centre

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know very well that I take my work very seriously as one of your three table officers, and I would like to report to you, Mr. Speaker, that in the early hours of this morning, I found an overwhelming desire to eat some bacon. To do that, you have to have a very sharp knife, which I sharpened. But in the middle of that operation, instead of sharpening the knife, I ended up cutting my finger very deeply; my left thumb. Since I've never believed in being a burden on the health system, I always look after my own needs, look after my own health, as much as I can.

Since then, I've realized that when you cut yourself to the bone, you should really go to see the doctor. So on the advice of several people that I've met this morning and this afternoon, I will in fact be away for an hour or two this afternoon. But if required, Mr. Speaker, I will still be available to serve you in any way I can when we get to committee. Thank you very much.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Monday, January 16th, the Honourable Helen Maksagak was sworn in as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Many of us, other guests, along with Ms. Maksagak's husband, John, her four daughters and her three sons were also privileged to be able to attend the ceremony and reception held afterwards in our great hall.

I'm also pleased to announce that on February 1st, the community of Cambridge Bay hosted a feast and entertainment evening that was well attended, to honour Ms. Maksagak in her appointment as the first Inuk, first female and first Nunavut resident to be bestowed the honour of serving as Commissioner. This community event was attended by mayors, councillors and leaders from throughout the Kitikmeot, as there was a regional council meeting being held during that same week.

I would like to congratulate the Honourable Helen Maksagak on her appointment. Kitikmeot residents are proud of her accomplishment, and I ask all Members to join me in wishing

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to share with Members in the House my constituency travel, which I just concluded recently. As you all know, I represent six communities. I think it's safe to say that it's the most communities that I have to represent in the House here. From February 1st to the 12th, I had the opportunity to travel to all the six communities by road and winter road with a vehicle. I just wanted to say that upon visiting all the communities, each community is very busy. There is a lot of potential for growth in each community, and members of the community leadership are working very hard in trying to make life better for people in communities. There is a lot of concern out there.

I've been to Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte, where we opened a new assembly hall on which I will make a separate Member's statement about later on.

In Fort Simpson, I asked my constituency assistant to find a date during that week where I could have a meeting and he was told that Tuesday would be a very good day. When the meeting came around, I found out there were six other meetings going on in that small community. So that's just an example of how busy people are in the communities. Everybody has their own concerns, they're working on their own projects, they have their own businesses and so forth.

During this trip to the communities, I had the opportunity to meet with various community leaders as well as individuals and elders. At the formal meetings, they are very important, and I had the opportunity to visit a lot of different groups and different people in the communities.

I just want to say, Mr. Speaker, that I consider these community meetings to be one of the most important responsibilities of MLAs. Even though, Mr. Speaker, we're all involved with other obligations as MLAs, the concerns and issues brought to our attention by our constituents take priority over all other matters. That's the way I regard my responsibility. I just wanted to share that with you. Mahsi.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Patterson.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Patterson. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Ballantyne.

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to join other Members in congratulating Mary Simon, who last fall was appointed as Canada's first ambassador for circumpolar affairs. This appointment illustrates both the importance of the Arctic region as the globe evolves, from the former bi-polar world of the United States and the Soviet Union, into a world where regions take on much more importance.

The ambassador, in her talk with us today at noon, talked about her first goal as ambassador, which is to create an Arctic council which will consist of eight northern countries: Canada; United States; Russia; and, a number of the Scandinavian countries, who will join together to discuss areas of mutual interest, whether it is trade, the environment, defence, et cetera. It is interesting because the Canadian government is embarking on new foreign policy concepts and this gives the northern people of Canada an opportunity for the first time to play a much more important role in Canada's foreign policy. If the Arctic council goes ahead, which I hope it will, people of the Northwest Territories, especially aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories will have, for the first time, a significant role to play in determining the foreign policy of our country.

So I see it as a tremendous opportunity for the people of the Northwest Territories. I also see it as a unifying factor of the Northwest Territories, where much of our politics tends to divide us as we are separating into two territories and as the western Arctic goes through constitutional discussions. By our involvement in the circumpolar world, we will find areas that can unite us. I also say that our government and Legislative Assembly, presently Mr. Kakfwi, deserve a lot of credit for the ongoing support that they have given to the whole concept of strengthening the circumpolar world.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my congratulations to Mary Simon. I am sure she will do a tremendous job as our ambassador to the Arctic world. Thank you.

---Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Ballantyne. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Pudlat.

Kenoayoak Pudlat Baffin South

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to ask this question again. I had raised this question yesterday with regard to GLOs -- government liaison officers -- in the communities. Their positions are going to be terminated in the near future. I would like the government to give consideration to what positions might be established to take their place. Perhaps they could come under another title, not GLO. There will be a cutback on their salaries and I think they are very important. I feel we haven't been given enough time to think about this and have our say. I am asking Cabinet to think about the replacement of these GLOs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause