Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we go to Ministers' statements, I am pleased to recognize this week as Public Service Week across Canada. This week, we recognize the employees for their dedicated service to the public sector.

The Legislative Assembly marked Public Service Week with long service awards handed out to our current Legislative Assembly employees with ten or more years of government service. The following people received their ten-year long service award: John Anderson, Donna Friesen, Dave Inch, Glen McLean, Vera Raschke, Doug Schauerte and Brian Thagard.

Myles Moreside and Karen Short both received their 15-year long service award, and the Clerk of our Assembly, Mr. David Hamilton, received both his 20-year and 25-year long service award. Congratulations to all of the award winners. We appreciate all of your hard work and we look forward to your continued dedication to the Government of the Northwest Territories and to this Legislative Assembly.

-- Applause

Item 2, Ministers' statements. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Transportation, Minister Steen.