Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly. I am pleased to welcome you to the fourth session of the 13th Legislative Assembly.
When I look back at the past 365 days I am impressed with the work you have accomplished to date, despite the many difficult challenges and circumstances you faced when you took office at this time last year.
Today we mark the beginning of a session that will continue to see many important issues and decisions brought before the members of this House.
In the months to come, you will be reviewing and adopting the 1997-98 territorial budget, addressing a host of constitutional issues and considering a variety of other items in preparation for Division of the Northwest Territories in 1999.
As part of this, the legislative agenda for the fourth session will include the Appropriation Act 1997-98, and the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1996-97.
In addition, the government will be bringing forward four new family law bills, including the Child and Family Services Act, the Adoption Act, the Children's Law Act and the Family Law Act.
These bills represent the culmination of nearly ten years of work on family law reform and will provide the Northwest Territories with modern legislation that reflects the unique circumstances of the north and respects the cultural traditions of its people.
Mr. Speaker, your government considers these bills essential to the good conduct of government and, as such, I recommend their passage.
Mr. Speaker, before this House begins discussion and debate on all of these important issues, I would like to make a personal comment on the spirit and nature of consensus government.
We are in a unique situation in Canada. The 24 members of the Assembly are elected to this House based on what people believe they can offer to government as individuals, rather than as members of some organization or party.
Because of this, each member of this House is free to vote as they wish, and for what they feel is in the best interests of their constituents and the people of the North.
Mr. Speaker, as members know, any decision of this House requires agreement by a majority of members. This means that all members must work together to build consensus by finding common ground and moving forward.
The eyes of the world are upon us as we prepare for April 1, 1999.
We have an opportunity to show the world what can be accomplished when we value our different viewpoints and experiences, when we listen to what others have to say, and when we work together to find solutions that will work for all.
Consensus government is a good form of government. It is a government system you can be proud to be a part of.
Critics may say it does not work well in difficult times. But I believe it is during the difficult times when consensus government is more effective.
As we have learned living in the north, it is when we face difficulty or need help that, as a community, we must draw together and cooperate in order to survive.
Mr. Speaker, as members enter the second year of this term, I encourage you to work together to fulfil the spirit and intent of consensus government.
As Commissioner, and on behalf of all citizens of the Northwest Territories, I would like to thank and commend all members for your hard work and positive efforts over the past year, and encourage your continuing earnest consideration and good judgment in the weeks and months ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I now declare open the fourth session of the 13th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.