Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I won't be making a reply to the opening address but, because the 12th Assembly is drawing to a close, I would like to make a brief statement of appreciation. I would like to thank all of my constituents who, since May of 1993, have granted me the privilege of serving as their MLA. I would like to recognize and thank my many friends and supporters who encouraged me to seek this office and I would like to say for the public record, and to them, that I will be seeking a new mandate on October 16th.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, since February of 1995, I have also had the honour of representing the NWT as Minister of MACA and I would like to thank Members of this House for affording me that privilege. For those Members who won't be seeking re- election, who are retiring or moving on to pursue other matters, I would like to wish you all the best. I thank you all for the guidance, support and encouragement that you provided to me and the way you welcomed me to the Assembly through the caucuses and committees I sat on, and into Cabinet as well.
I would like to recognize two Members of this House who have officially declared that they will be retiring, both Mr. Patterson and Mr. Pudluk. For Mr. Patterson --although he isn't here now, I know he reads the Hansard so he will read these comments --I don't know whether it is a result of his experience on Cabinet or whatever, but I would like to say that he has taught me that you can say a lot without really saying anything.
---Laughter
Secondly, he has offered advice to me on many occasions, but I would like to thank him for not offering me advice on how to assemble a tie collection.
---Laughter
And, for Mr. Pudluk, who said in his reply that he misses the way I touched his legs since I came over here on this side, that although I don't miss touching his leg, I do miss sitting beside him. For the record, I would like to say that when I did accidentally brush his leg, it was not for sexual purposes at all.
---Laughter
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the staff of the Assembly, and in particular, Mr. Hamilton. I know many people have said that he has been a father to them but to me, he has been more like a grandfather.
---Laughter
I would like to say that it's not because of our age difference, but because of the fact that I'm one of the younger, newer Members, he has probably tolerated me a lot more than he would other Members.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.
The Member for Kitilkmeot is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Ng.