Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about a number of things, including condolences to the family of the late Edgar Kotokak and to send greetings to everyone in the Northwest Territories and my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I understand the funeral for Edgar Kotokak will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2005, in Tuktoyaktuk. On behalf of my family and constituents, our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the late Edgar Kotokak.

Mr. Speaker, the other day, my colleague Mr. McLeod reported on the IRC Native Hockey Tournament. Today I would like to congratulate the Paulatuk Storms on their victory in the B division. Mr. Speaker, this tournament is of very high calibre. Young and old come out to participate and watch this tournament every February.

Mr. Speaker, Members may recall that during this session my niece Deva Lynn Pokiak watched the proceedings of the House from the gallery. Later that evening, Mr. Speaker, she asked me some interesting questions. She asked, why do they call the man in the front Mr. Speaker? Does he have a name? Referring to the Pages, she asked, why do the young people always bow their heads as they leave the House? Mr. Speaker, my niece found it very interesting and educational.

Mr. Speaker, Jackie Jacobson and I, on behalf of the residents of Tuktoyaktuk, will be hosting the next strategic planning meeting for the Accountability and Oversight committee in Tuktoyaktuk. The meeting will take place the same time as the Beluga Jamboree. I look forward to showing my AOC colleagues our community and I am confident that they will enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of Tuktoyaktuk during the jamboree.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, as we go on our own ways, I would like to wish all my colleagues a safe journey home to their loved ones. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Pokiak. A reminder that Member's statements are to be on one topic; but, seeing as it is our last day, the man in the tux will be very obliging to you today.

---Laughter

Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is indeed, or hopefully will be, the last day of this session.

I deserved that, but I will try to forge on here. Mr. Speaker, it has been a long four weeks here, a productive four weeks. We have all had a chance to deliver our messages and I would like to return to the one that I believe is very, very high and should stay way up there on the priority list of this Assembly and especially this Cabinet, it is about the theme of housing.

---Applause

I have a bit of a message here. Members might be familiar with the tune and they are more than welcome to join me in this.

Mr. Speaker, Trailers for sale or rent...

Everybody have a great spring and we will see you back here in May. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to add my voice to my colleague Mr. Robert Villeneuve, and I want to speak of my support for the affirmative action policy. I am in support of the policy. I am a firm believer of providing opportunities to our northerners, born and bred, to our long-time residents and minority groups, so we can get them involved in the process of governing and running the territory. Mr. Speaker, the NWT is a fine example where policies such as ours are beneficial to the development and prosperity of all regions and our people.

The diverse makeup of our shared territory and the recent developments that will continue for many years to come in our North speak to the needs of having true Northerners representing our workforce and our people. New perspectives and unique outlooks can provide many benefits to our communities, especially coming from people we know very well and respect. Mr. Speaker, representation of our people is a defining principle in democracy and I think it is important that we ensure that our affirmative action policy reflects that.

Mr. Speaker, I am a strong proponent for the idea of a hand-up, not a handout. So I believe the affirmative action policy, correctly implemented, will continue to provide great opportunities for young people for employment, people representing their people, young generations seeing true northerners as role models and inspirations for goodwill and accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I want to say, in closing, an affirmative action policy is no more simply put than it recognizes our people, community supporting community and finally we've got it right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a band called the Barenaked Ladies sings a song called If I Had a Million Dollars. I've always liked the song, Mr. Speaker, so today I have my own version to share with this House.

---Laughter

---Applause

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, the rules of this House do not allow guitars or keyboards or even after hearing these backup singers...

---Laughter

...you'll have to bear with me.

Mr. Speaker, if I had a billion dollars, I would ask the elders' council what's best to do. I'll fund them for their wisdom and their view. I'll keep the elders in the Sahtu. I wouldn't ship them south, cause that's cruel.

---Laughter

If I had billion dollars, I'd speed up the chipsealing programs so the elders can greet you.

If I had a billion dollars, I'll contribute to the Chief T'Selehye and Chief Albert Wright schools, install water and sewer facilities in Colville too.

---Laughter

If I had a billion dollars, we'd build log houses, affordable housing so we wouldn't have to live 10 people to a house, cause that'll cause a health issue to you.

Mr. Speaker, if I had a billion dollars, I'd buy an all-weather road to wrap around the Sahtu and then I'd buy a sack of potatoes cause I can finally afford to share them with me and you.

Then I'll clean up the contaminated mountain in Tulita while I'm at it too, because that would be cool.

Mr. Speaker, if I had a billion dollars, I'd build a Mackenzie Valley office in the Sahtu. Cabinet could help with Inuvik too.

But if I had a billion dollars, I'd fund the treatment centres so we can all get well and if we could learn to build it ourselves, wouldn't that be swell.

Mr. Speaker, if I had a billion dollars, I'd get energy from the Bear, no more diesel generators, hydro is the way to go.

If I had a billion dollars, I'd host the International Dene Gathering in the Sahtu. I'd invite all my friends, and the Premier can come too.

---Laughter