He's maintained the dignity of the Speaker's position and, at the same time, encouraged an atmosphere of cooperation. I wish Mr. Speaker the very best of luck and I know that he will bring the same enthusiasm and caring that he brought to this Assembly to all of his new endeavors.
Another long-term Member leaving us is the Honourable Jake Ootes. Mr. Ootes has been a dedicated Minister and Member of the government Cabinet. As a previous Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I know the challenges that can go with this portfolio and Mr. Ootes has risen to the challenge.
Mr. Speaker, another long-term Member that we know is leaving this House is the Honourable Jim Antoine, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities outside of territorial politics. He's been a Member of this House for a good time. In fact, we were both elected at the same time and I have fine memories of working together with Mr. Antoine on the Standing Committee on Finance and then on Cabinet. He has always demonstrated calm, quiet leadership and a real commitment to consensus government.
Mr. Speaker, another very familiar face that we will not see in this House again is that of the Premier, Stephen Kakfwi. His announcement that he will not seek re-election came as a surprise to me. I think his presence in this House has become a given for many of us and it will be strange not to see him on the floor of the House in the next Assembly. During this session I have recognized the Premier's efforts on many fronts, including the Con Mine trailer park and negotiating resource royalties and infrastructure funding with the federal government. I would like to reiterate again today my appreciation of the Premier's efforts over the past four years. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish all of the departing Members of this House the best of luck with their future endeavors. They should be proud of their accomplishments and should be recognized for their long-time commitments to their constituents and all Northerners.
Mr. Speaker, it doesn't seem all that long ago that I first came to the Legislative Assembly as a first-time MLA. As a new MLA I felt privileged to be here on behalf of my constituents and I wanted to serve them well. But I needed some help. That help came in the form of the Clerk's office and specifically Mr. David Hamilton.
Mr. Speaker, we saluted Mr. Hamilton earlier in this session, but again today I would like to say how much I've enjoyed working with him and how he has always handled difficult situations with skill and professionalism. We'll miss him.
Mr. Speaker, this morning I chaired the 259th meeting of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. Two hundred and fifty-nine meetings. Some of those meetings, Mr. Speaker, were three-day affairs. Some, obviously, were very short. It's been an honour for the past four years to chair the standing committee and I'd like to point out that I think it's been a very important step in the evolution of our own style of government because it brought together in a formal committee all Members who were not part of the government, which are those who were not on Cabinet. This is the first time that group has been formalized.
It's been an interesting group to chair. All Members have goals and aspirations for their constituents in the North and oftentimes, Mr. Speaker, they are not aligned with each other. But you know, over the past four years we have come together on important issues to direct government action. Together we have made a difference.
I've enjoyed working with all Members in this House. Even when we haven't agreed, it's been obvious that each and every one is motivated by a desire to do their best for their constituents and all of the North.
Mr. Speaker, last week the Premier said he has the best job, well maybe. Mine has been pretty good too. I couldn't have done it without the support of a lot of people who have worked in this Assembly building in the research department. I'd like to recognize too the support that I have received over the years from some really great constituency assistants, first of all Robert Redshaw, then Allison McCambridge, Sahara Pawluk and right now Katherine Robinson.
Mr. Speaker, I have also been able to do this job because my family has allowed it, and I appreciate the support that I get from my wife Eileen and son Tyler. Mr. Speaker, since I enjoy this job and since I think I make a difference in doing it, I plan to seek my constituents' support to keep on doing the job for another four years. So, Mr. Speaker, to those who are leaving I bid you farewell and I look forward to working with those who return after the election. Thank you.
---Applause