Thank you. Mr. Speaker, Premier and Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is my pleasure to be here today to assent to bills and to prorogue this Session.

Since this is the last time you will meet as the 13th Legislative Assembly before the general election for the 14th Assembly, I would like to take a few moments to reflect on the achievements and notable events since you were elected in 1995.

This government was elected at a crucial time of change. The Northwest Territories was facing uniquely difficult and challenging problems. Rapid population growth and related social problems were making it increasingly difficult to maintain adequate housing, employment, health and education services. At the same time, like the rest of the country, the NWT had to deal with significant fiscal restraint measures and federal cutbacks.

Meeting these many challenges head-on required hard, and in some cases, unpopular choices. Government programs and benefits were downsized. We had to learn to do more with less and find new and innovative ways of providing services to people.

At the same time, we had to address our social and economic conditions, not only in an effort to control costs in the future, but also to create more healthy, self-reliant communities. We had to find new ways to break the old cycle of dependence on government, to build pride in our communities and faith in our ability to take care of ourselves.

This new focus meant a shift to greater regional and community control of programs, investments in training and in the school system, new infrastructure and a greater focus on preventing health and social problems. It meant supporting aboriginal rights negotiations and working towards a productive and respectful relationship with new aboriginal governments.

Some of these initiatives have already shown success. With others it is too soon to tell. A society does not change overnight. I believe this government was correct in setting the priorities that it chose and trust that future governments will build on this promising beginning.

A great deal has happened since 1995, more than could be captured in this address. I would like to mention some highlights that stand out for me:

During this term of government a package of new and modern laws dealing with Family Law was enacted. As well, a comprehensive reform of Business Law was completed with the passage of the Business Corporations Act. Members will also recall the many division measures bills passed to facilitate the creation of two new Territories on April 1, 1999.

The government's Public and Private Partnerships Initiative allowed the continuing development of infrastructure in the NWT in a climate of fiscal restraint. The opening of the Ekati diamond mine and its related socio-economic agreements was a much needed boom to the northern economy.

During the life of this government the Wire North Program brought all northern communities closer together by providing access to the Internet. The Digital Communications Network has greatly improved the speed and efficiency of information management.

New collective agreements with government employees and teachers were reached and new formula financing agreements for both the NWT and Nunavut were established with Canada.

The NWT has been a part of the Canadian delegation on international trade missions and has gained additional strength in federal/provincial forums. The GNWT recently signed the Social Union Framework Agreement with other jurisdictions, signalling a commitment to renewing social programs at home and nationally as well.

Plan 2000 and the Minimum Down Payment Assistance Program provided new and innovative kinds of assistance to northern families that would not otherwise be able to purchase homes.

I would like to offer special thanks to our public service who have proved themselves more than competent during the past four years. Time and time again they came through for us under some very trying conditions.

I would also like to recognize the support that Members have received from their families whose patience and caring made this job a little easier.

I wish you all good health, happiness and success in all of your future endeavours. It is my hope that all people of the NWT will look to the future and the new millennium with optimism and good will.

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:

Bill 1: An Act to Amend the Public Colleges Act

Bill 2: Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 1999-2000

Bill 3: Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act

Bill 4: Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Statutes Amendment Act

Bill 5: An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act

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

--Applause