Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also want to congratulate you on becoming Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, June 13th to the 19th has been designated as National Public Service Week.

As the Minister responsible for the public service of the Northwest Territories, I encourage my colleagues to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions made by GNWT public service employees.

GNWT employees need a diverse skill set to deliver programs to the NWT public. Public service employees work on the front lines delivering programs such as health care, student financial assistance, education at the kindergarten to grade 12 level and college programs. They work behind the scenes to support these programs in areas such as policy development, finance and human resources. They maintain our roads and our community buildings; they observe and protect our environment and our wildlife; they keep our airports safe and they fight forest fires.

The GNWT is fortunate in that it has a public service that is highly professional and dedicated to delivering effective programs. On an ongoing basis, they show the desire to refine and improve their skills and provide the best level of service possible.

Mr. Speaker, the daily efforts of these employees often goes unrecognized. It is important that we all recognize the work of the public service and that we say thank you. Please join me today in expressing my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the public service in celebrating National Public Service Week.

---Applause