Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin today also by extending a very special welcome to Mr. Robert McLeod. I must say, Mr. Speaker, I have really enjoyed watching him watch us over the last few months. He certainly has given me a new perspective to have a fresh set of eyes and many ideas he has brought to us already. Also, Mr. Speaker, I don't know if everybody knows, but today is New Year's Day under the lunar calendar. I know you have wished us a Happy New Year from the regular calendar, but I would like to extend a Happy New Year to everyone here and around the communities in this Year of the Rooster.

Speaking of roosters, Mr. Speaker, I believe one of the most important jobs we have as MLAs is to crow out loud like roosters about all the issues that are important to our constituents, especially on behalf of those who are most vulnerable and voiceless. At this point, I think we would be hard pressed to find too many who are as voiceless and powerless as our canine friends. Over the last few months, Mr. Speaker, we have really been subject to stories filled with harrowing and inhumane treatment of four-legged residents in our community. In January, Mr. Speaker, we read in The Hub about a puppy being

rescued lying on top of his dead sister puppy after they were both thrown into the dumpster and left to freeze to death in sub-arctic temperatures. Most recently, we have been hearing about the six sled dogs shot in the mouth and face; not shot in a way to euthanize them quickly and humanely, but left to die by bleeding to death or by choking in their own blood inside their broken jaws.

Mr. Speaker, I feel compelled to state this in a very descriptive and dramatic way because I believe this government has an obligation to say something about how this is not acceptable and stand by and give some teeth to the NWT Dog Act that is already in place as well as enforcing the criminal court provisions that speaks to inhumane and cruel treatment of animals. Mr. Speaker, many studies have shown that those who exercise violence against their family, spouses, and children, also show tendencies to be violent towards animals or treat them in an inhumane way. I believe it all speaks to the behaviour of those who are not able to empathize with the pain and suffering of others. In the days and weeks ahead, I will be pursuing these issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause