Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure that I join yourself and the rest of my colleagues in this Chamber for what I hope will be a very productive session. We as legislators have some very interesting and complex issues to discuss over the next several weeks and I look forward to some very lively debate.

A number of activities have taken place in Hay River over the last few months and I would like to take this opportunity to share some of these with the Members of this House. In late November, the Hay River Kiwanis Club hosted the international president of Kiwanis, Mr. Brian Kunat. It was quite a coup for the Hay River Kiwanis Club to host this international president. Mr. Speaker, my sincere congratulations go out to all members of the Hay River Kiwanis Club, and particularly Mr. Ed Dakin, club president and my constituent, who did a superb job of organizing Mr. Kunat's visit to Hay River.

In December, Mr. Speaker, Hay River hosted Members of the Legislative Assembly as we held our caucus meetings there. I was very pleased that my community could host these meetings and I want to thank my colleagues for choosing Hay River.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to our meetings, my colleague Jane Groenewegen and I hosted a community meet-and-greet. This was a chance for the community of Hay River to meet the MLAs from around the Northwest Territories. The meet-and-greet was a resounding success with over 200 people in attendance. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Katl'odeeche Drummers, the Filipino Dancers, the Harry Camsell Choir and Diamond Jenness Handbell Choir for providing entertainment. It was wonderful and very well received.

Speaking of entertainment, Mr. Speaker, I would have to say that the highlight of the evening was watching Premier Kakfwi, Minister Handley and Sandy Lee as they attempted to perform their version of Filipino dancing.

Mr. Speaker, in December, the Honourable Roger Allen, Minister of Housing, attended a meeting with the Hay River Seniors Society. At this meeting, Mr. Allen announced his intention to have an independent living facility for seniors erected in Hay River. I am very encouraged by Minister Allen's news. I have worked very closely with the Hay River Seniors Society since becoming an MLA and I think it is high time that this government devoted more resources to our ever increasing seniors population.

Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to report that things were reasonably quiet over the holidays and I was able to spend some time at home with family and friends. It certainly was a most refreshing break.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank...