Good afternoon, colleagues, and welcome back to the continuation of the Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly. Also a warm welcome to our visitors in the gallery. I trust that you all enjoyed the short break during the holiday season, a well-deserved break from the rigors of public life.
I would like to offer my personal best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year for you, your loved ones and all of your constituents. I would also like to extend a very warm welcome, on behalf of all Members of this House, to our newest Member, Mr. Robert McLeod.
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Welcome, Mr. McLeod. On behalf of this House, I would also like to express my sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones since we were last together. As we embark on this budget session, I would like to acknowledge, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, the tireless efforts of the government employees, officials, Ministers, Assembly staff and standing committee members in contributing to the budget development process. I know the last month-and-a-half or so has been a very busy time for all of you. I look forward to a very busy session over the next few weeks. I hope to hear some very good debates on issues that are important to all the people of the Northwest Territories and discussions that lead to positive, informed decisions. I ask only that you conduct yourselves within the rules that you have set down for this House and continue to respect the dignity of the House and all its Members.
Now it is my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads: "Dear, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly, the passage of the Appropriation Act, 2005-2006 and the Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2004-2005 during the Third Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Glenna F. Hansen, Commissioner."
Thank you, colleagues. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. The Minister of Finance, the Honourable Mr. Roland.