Mr. Speaker, Premier and honourable Members, before I assent to the bills today, I wish to advise this House that I have been visiting communities in the Northwest Territories during the past few months. I have had the distinct pleasure of bestowing awards upon deserving individuals for their special contributions to the North in civic and public duties. I would be remiss if I did not mention them today. Father Jean Pochat, the former administrator of Grandin College, Ronald H. Franklin of Fort Simpson, both have received the Commissioner's Certificate of Recognition. Sarah Hardisty of Jean Marie River, the late Thelma Tees of Yellowknife, Baptiste Cazon of Fort Simpson, Tom Eagle of Yellowknife, and Daniel Sonfrere of Hay River all received the Commissioner's Lifetime Service Award. As well, I presented the Commissioner's Community Service Award to Haig Carthew and Ter Hamer of Yellowknife and Roy Fabien of Hay River.

I would like to thank the Premier and honourable Members for their time and effort in making this program of special recognition possible. I will be continuing my visits to the rest of the Northwest Territories and I would like to travel to the Delta and our Inuvialuit communities in the near future. Along the way I will be seeking out deserving individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in the Northwest Territories.

I was very saddened to hear that John Vogt of Fort Smith had passed away recently. John was a prominent businessman, former mayor and a resident of the North since the 1950s. He was known for his kindness and generosity and he made valuable contributions to his community. John will be missed by many. I was also saddened to learn that Thelma Tees of Yellowknife passed away recently. Thelma's contributions to her community are too numerous to mention. She worked with many service organizations while raising a large family and was a founding member of Northern Addictions Services. Even after retirement she continued to work with alcoholics and volunteered her time and considerable energy to many community service organizations. Yellowknife is much richer because of the life that Thelma chose to live.

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following Bills: Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act Bill 19, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act Bill 20, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Prior to proroguing this session, I wish to announce that the Eighth Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly will convene on Tuesday, September 7, 1999, at 1:30 pm.

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I hereby prorogue the Seventh Session of the 13th Legislative Assembly. Thank you.