Item 7, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the deputy mayor for Inuvik town council, Mr. Clarence Wood.

---Applause

Thank you, colleagues. Long lists are not in order here. So, please, just narrow it down to a minimum number. Item 7, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, I apologize for cutting you off, I thought you were done.

My apologies, Mr. Speaker. I did have a long list. I will recognize the president of the NWTTA, Mr. David Murphy.

---Applause

Item 7, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. The honourable Member for Deh Cho...Sorry, we got you already. Mr. Braden, Great Slave.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me pleasure to recognize a couple of people: Mr. Bob Haywood, president of the NWT Federation of Labour; Barbara Saunders, executive director of the Status of Women Council of the NWT; and, from the Department of Public Works and Services, deputy minister Mr. Bruce Rattray. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you. Item 7, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. No further recognitions. I would like to take this opportunity of saying welcome and thank you for attending this very important session. We will now take a short break and return at the bell.

---SHORT RECESS

Item 4, Members' statements. Item 5, reports of standing and special committees. Item 6, returns to oral questions. Item 7, recognition of visitors in the Gallery. Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the fact that today was the Budget Address, I would like to comment to the numbers on the opposite side for a job well done in delivering the address today.

Another issue that came to light today, Mr. Speaker, seeing as how we are dealing with the budget, is an announcement that we heard on the radio at noon time that Ottawa is opening up the purse strings to help initiatives in the oil and gas sector. There was an announcement from DIAND that they are going to make available $10 million over the next five years, I think is what the announcement said, to fund a pipeline readiness office. I think it's an excellent time for us to start making some moves in distributing the prosperity around. I would like to ask the finance Minister if he's aware of this money and what it exactly means for the Territories. I am understanding that it may be something like five positions. I would like to know if the finance Minister can update us on what that funding is about. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I haven't had a chance to read the communiqué or anything. I understand the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is going to be making a statement on it tomorrow after we have a look at it. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if the Minister of RWED is going to be making an announcement on that, I will probably save my questions and direct them to the Minister of RWED. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Item 8, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden. No? Item 8, oral questions. Item 9, written questions. Item 10, returns to written questions. Item 11, replies to opening address. Item 12, replies to Budget Address. Item 13, petitions. Item 14, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 15, tabling of documents. Item 16, notices of motion. Item 17, notices of motions for the first reading of bills. Item 18, motions. Item 19, first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to proceed with first reading of Bill 3, Appropriation Act, 2003-2004.

Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed with the reading of Bill 3. Are there any nays?

We cannot proceed on first reading of bills. Item 20, second reading of bills. Item 23, third reading of bills. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you. We have a motion on the floor. All those in favor? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 1 has had third reading. Item 23, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day. The Chair recognizes the honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to return to item 19, first reading of bills.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to item 19, first reading of bills. Are there any nays?