Please be seated. Mr. Speaker, Deputy Premier, Members of the Legislative Assembly, welcome back to the Assembly.
A new session is upon us and I am sure all Members share in a strong commitment and sense of optimism as we approach the work ahead.
The days are getting longer and the sun once more warms our lands. This time of year invites a fresh perspective and renewed energy.
Adding to this energy in many of our communities has been the excitement of regional competitions and play downs leading up to this year's Arctic Winter Games.
This is a pivotal time for the athletes vying for the right to compete at these games. What began as a dream has begun to materialize. Hard work and determination is reflected in concrete and measurable results.
For those athletes, who will represent the Northwest Territories in Nuuk and Iqaluit, it is time to come together as a team and to renew their effort and commitment to the dream they set out months and maybe years ago.
I am sure you all join me in wishing each and every one of these individuals good luck.
In many ways, your paths are similar to those of the Arctic Winter Games athletes.
You also worked hard to realize the vision which you collectively identified about two years ago. You also are at a pivotal point in your vision of a better tomorrow for the people of the Northwest Territories.
As we begin the Fifth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly, you must find a renewed effort and commitment to complete the agenda you have set for yourselves.
I listened with interest to Premier Kakfwi's address to the people of the NWT on January 10th.
I was particularly impressed by the commitment given by this government to balancing economic success with the needs of both the environment and people of the NWT.
In the weeks ahead, you face the challenge of balancing these needs with the financial capacity of our Territory. This will be a critical task.
But like the athletes, who will compete next month in the Arctic Winter Games, you can draw on the strength of your accomplishments so far.
The economy of the Northwest Territories is strong.
The possibility of significant equity in the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline is very real.
There is strength and unity in our people and their governments; a growing confidence in partnerships and collaboration; and a new sense of optimism within our youth.
Each of these are key steps towards the completion of your agenda -- and each has been achieved or strengthened by your unity toward a common goal.
I encourage you to maintain this ability to work as one body, one government and one voice as you continue to seek the consensus on which this Legislative Assembly is based.
As you prepare to once again use this forum to address and debate the issues of government on behalf of all people of the NWT, I will encourage your constituents to join your work towards a self-reliant Territory of healthy, well-educated and experienced individuals, families and communities.
Each of us can do our part to improve the quality of our own lives and the lives of others. By focusing on our commitment to our families and children; by encouraging and supporting the importance of education and training in the futures of our youth; and by promoting and practicing healthy lifestyle choices every day.
I would also like to advise all residents of the Northwest Territories that on your behalf as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I have sent condolences to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on the passing of her sister Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.
During this session, government will be introducing the following bills entitled Appropriation Act, 2002-2003 and Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2001-2002, for consideration by this House. The government considers these bills essential to the good conduct of government business and as such, I recommend their passage.
I now declare the Fifth Session of the 14th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories open.
-- Applause