Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is good to see you and everyone in the House and in the gallery.

Mr. Speaker, on August 27th our community received an announcement that Miramar Con Mine would close its operation at the site by the end of this November and it might even be sooner. While many of us knew this would be coming eventually, it still came as a shock and it is very sad news indeed, Mr. Speaker. Mining of gold at Giant Mine and Con Mine and others in the area are what has given this city our modern history. The Robertson Shaft and the Con Mine has been a steady and reassuring presence in this town for many decades. My family members have worked at the mine as miners and I would even go so far as to say I probably wouldn't be standing here today if it weren't for that very mine. I'll save that story for another time.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that I have had a chance to talk to a number of affected Con Mine workers who live in my riding. I know they are all doing their best to cope with the situation, but

mining and working in a mine are a way of life not just a job. For many of them, young or old, they have spent a better part of their life at the mine. It will mean a great deal of adjustment and change, not only for the workers, but for their families and friends in our community. There is no question in my mind that we will feel the economic, financial and emotional impact of the closure of the mine for a long time to come.

On a good note, Mr. Speaker, I must say it's good to see how quickly and comprehensively the responsible departments in the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government have responded to the transitional needs of the affected workers. It has been proactive and organized. They have all done a very good job so far and I want to thank them and encourage them to keep up with the good work until the job is done.

I also appreciate that the Con Mine Trailer Park transfer is working through its various jurisdictional stages and this Legislature must support and do its part for a speedy resolution to that issue.

There's one more issue, Mr. Speaker, that we need to work more on and that has to do with the abandonment and reclamation planned for the mine currently before the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. I need to advise you that the employees had expressed great concern that the plan proposed would be approved and implemented by the end of this year without much public scrutiny and participation. They believe this would mean that the mine would be closed at the end of November, the Robertson Shaft demolished and the process for flooding...