Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations again on your election as Speaker. I'd like to first start off by congratulating all of my colleagues in this House on their respective elections. As Mrs. Groenewegen pointed out, indeed, the average age is getting younger in the House. I think it's a good thing. I'm certainly impressed with the new Members. There's a lot of talent and dedication in this room. It's been a nice start in the last few days and I know the public will certainly be impressed with this new group. I think they're going to do great things, we're going to do great things and it's going to be a good Assembly.
I'd like to thank the constituents of Yellowknife South for having the confidence to send me back here. The acclamation, as I've said before, was a surprise, but certainly an honour. I want to let you know that with my election to Cabinet, my constituency work will absolutely not diminish. I give you my assurance on that.
Let me also thank all the people who worked on my campaign, my campaign team. I can't point everybody out, but I wanted to send a special thanks to MaryAnne Woytuik, Betty Anne Windsor, to all the staff at the Genesis Group, the Simpson family and let me also thank my family for their continued love and support: my wife Jill, my daughter Emily -- who can't talk about support, but I'm sure it's there -- my brother and sister, my parents, all of whom still live in the Northwest Territories. That's something that I'm very proud of.
I'd also like to thank my colleagues for having the confidence to elect me to Cabinet. I assure you that I take very seriously this idea, this concept, this new era of consensus government and will be very proud to help you on behalf of your constituents in this regard.
Lastly, I don't know if I'm letting the cat out of the bag, but to our two new Caucus Chairs, Mr. Menicoche and Mr. Yakeleya, I'm certainly very proud that you were elected. I know that you believe in partnerships and I know that means that this Caucus will certainly have a great future.
To all the residents of the Northwest Territories, Merry Christmas.
---Applause