Thank you Mr. Ningark. Good afternoon to all Members and welcome back to the continuation of the 6th Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly. I would like to thank the Member for Hay River, in arranging for the Reverend Craig Pitts and Mrs. Dorothy Pitts to be with us today to perform our National Anthem as a piano duet. Even though we have not met since June, I expect Members had a very busy summer with their constituents, family and friends. I hope you are all well rested and ready for the many challenges and decisions that must be made in the coming months leading to the dissolution of the 13th Legislative Assembly late next year. Of course, in six months time we will be saying good-bye to ten of our colleagues from Nunavut.
Members have much to do in a very short time frame and we have a number of legislative initiatives that must be dealt within that time. This may mean standing down some of the normal processes for review. The stress created by the pressure of time constraints can lead to frustration, but it is my hope that we will continue to address issues in a respectful and honourable way.
Keeping in mind our tight schedule, when it comes to the operation of the House, I intend to be strict with the rules. For example, during question period I ask that both questions and answers be to the point. I will interject if this is not the case with either a Member or Minister. I know both sides of the House will understand the need for this as it will make for more productive use of the question period.
We have entered the last year of this Assembly. I know that we, as leaders, will put aside any personal issues to take up our responsibility to create a legacy for the future that the people of the north will be proud of. This is the challenge we accepted when we were elected to the 13th Assembly and it is a challenge we will meet in the days to come.
On the lighter side, I must offer my thanks to the Member for Yellowknife North, who has invited all members to lunch at the SmokeHouse in N'Dilo.
--Applause
Perhaps there will be more such invites to come. I want to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly for all their hard work. I am hoping that over the next few sittings, with the help of the staff, some social and recreational events can be organized, so that staff and members can meet in a non-work environment. Perhaps if the media is not too afraid, one day we will continue the MLA-Media hockey challenge. I would also like to congratulate the Clerk of the Assembly, who celebrated his half-century birthday yesterday.
--Applause
Although, I would remind the Clerk, Mr. Hamilton, that I am still eight months his elder. Once again, welcome to the continuance of the 6th Session of the 13th Assembly. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Morin.