Thank you, Mr. Bell. Good afternoon, everyone. Before we begin today, I would like to welcome back Members from their summer vacation. I hope you have all had a good rest and that you are now prepared for a full three weeks of co-operative work.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome to this Legislative Assembly our new Sergeant-at-Arms, Ms. Nicole Latour-Theede, and to extend to her best wishes as she begins this new role.

-- Applause

I would also like to welcome the pages from Sir John Franklin School. Some of them are familiar to us because they were with us during the June session.

I wish to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories:

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of the Supplementary Appropriations Act No. 1, 2000-01 during the third Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly.

Yours truly,

Glenna F. Hansen

Commissioner

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Financial Management Board, Mr. Handley.