Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with third reading of Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, be read for the third time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Please be seated. Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is an honour for me to join you today in this Assembly. It has been almost a year since I first addressed you as the 14th Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.

Since that time, I have had an opportunity to attend and be a part of many events and occasions that are representative of your work and successes as a government. I would like to tell you that these occasions have been both an honour and a source of pride.

I listened with interest in January as the Premier reflected on the achievements of this government in its first year and spoke of your plans for the year to come. I too share the excitement for the future that Premier Kakfwi expressed. In every region of our Territory, economic initiatives are putting Northerners to work.

This was very evident on my recent visit to the Delta where I was able to participate in and celebrate the onset of drilling at the Petro-Canada Akita well at Swimming Point. In the completion of my official duties and in my meetings with ordinary citizens, it was clear that there is a renewed excitement in our Territory brought about by the anticipation and growth of economic activity.

I am also increasingly aware of the significant steps that are being taken daily in our land claim and self-government negotiations.

These are indicative and I commend the Government of the Northwest Territories for your continued commitment to work in partnership with federal and aboriginal governments, as well as the private sector, to achieve your vision of a better tomorrow.

An important element in all of the positive developments in the Northwest Territories are the strengths and contributions of individual citizens. While at times these go unrecognized, I am pleased that next week I will be able to attend the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, where the efforts of two distinguished Northerners -- Richard Nerysoo and Senator Nick Sibbeston -- will be honoured.

Over the next year, it is my intention to continue visiting a number of your communities to meet with individual residents and to recognize many of their distinct contributions. In that spirit, I am pleased to express my appreciation to Corporal Wayne Norris for stepping in to act as my aide-de-camp today.

Before I assent to bills, I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories to express my shock and sadness upon hearing of the death of Constable Jurgen Seewald, whose life was taken Monday while in the line of duty in Cape Dorset, Nunavut. Prior to his posting in Nunavut, Constable Seewald served both in Hay River and Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, and will be remembered with love and respect by the many people who knew and loved him there. To his family, his friends and to members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, I offer my prayers and condolences.

Now in the exercise of my duty as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills: Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act; Bill 19, Appropriation Act, 2001-2002; Bill 20, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 2, 2000-2001; Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act.

I wish to announce that the Fourth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly will convene on Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at 1:30 p.m. As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I hereby prorogue the Third Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

-- Applause

-- PROROGATION

The House prorogued at 6:15 p.m.