Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, workplace accidents can be devastating. Not only is an employee affected - family, friends and fellow workers all share in the consequences.
Accidents can be prevented. However, it takes commitment, training and a strong sense of responsibility from both the employer, and the employees, to make a difference. I am very pleased to report that the people at the NWT Power Corporation have demonstrated they can make the difference.
On June 30, 1999, the corporation's 295 employees achieved a record of six months - over 400,000 hours - with no time-loss accidents. I am pleased to report that as of today, that record is now almost seven months. This is a very good turnaround from only five years ago, when there were 18 time-loss accidents during the year. Last year, there were only five.
The commitment of the board of directors to make safety the top priority and to put the resources behind their decision has been a major factor. I compliment them, the management and the safety managers of the NWT Power Corporation in the NWT and Nunavut for the excellent job they have done.
I know this Assembly will join me in congratulating the front-line workers, the line crews, the electricians, mechanics and other tradespeople who perform their duties safely every day.
Mr. Speaker, we are joined here today by members of the joint occupational health and safety committee in the gallery who I will introduce at the appropriate time.
Finally, I look forward to January 1st of next year when I am confident we stand a very good chance of achieving a full year - almost one million hours - of zero lost time at the NWT Power Corporation. Thank you.
--Applause