Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation starts) I would like to send my warmest greeting for the New Year to my constituents, my family and my friends in Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Wrigley and Fort Simpson. I thank the residents of Nahendeh for electing me as your MLA for a third term of office.
During the recent election campaign I was fortunate to speak with many of you, to hear your concerns, to answer your questions and to get your advice. Many of you mentioned that over the past year my responsibilities as Premier limited my ability to travel to the community I represent and this weighed heavily in my decision to not seek the position of Premier for this 14th Assembly.
However many of you encouraged me to seek a position on Cabinet, and thanks to the support of my fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly I was fortunate to have been re-elected to Cabinet on January 17th. Thank you fellow Members. I look forward to working with each of you on the important tasks which confront our government and our people.
As elected representatives of the people of the Northwest Territories our main responsibility is to work hard to improve the quality of life and to encourage sustainable employment opportunities for our people. I am committed during this term of office to see that our full potential is realized. To accomplish this we must continue to work together, we must respect each other and find areas of compromise.
Today we begin this journey together. Never has the path been so clear, never have the opportunities been so great and never have the needs been so pressing. What we need to do is to roll our sleeves up and get to work. I am ready, willing and able.
In the next few weeks, I will have an opportunity to visit the communities of Nahendeh, and I will advise you well in advance of the dates I will be in your community. I am looking forward to seeing you soon, and again thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as your MLA during these challenging times.
Mahsi cho.
(Translation ends)