Colleagues, before we begin today, Nunavut recently lost a long-serving political figure when Jobie Nutarak, most recently the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, was killed in a tragic snowmobile accident on April 22, 2006. Mr. Nutarak was hunting 400 kilometres from his hometown of Pond Inlet when he lost his life riding over rough terrain. Mr. Nutarak was the first confirmed Member of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly when it was first opened in 1999 representing the Tunnuniq riding. He was re-elected to the Assembly in 2004, and was acclaimed as Speaker of the 2nd Legislative Assembly in March of 2004. Mr. Nutarak was involved in local politics as a member of many boards and councils in Nunavut. Mr. Nutarak was survived by his wife and five children who live in Pond Inlet. I got to know Jobie fairly well as our paths crossed in Speakers' circles. I found him to be a man of genuine integrity and had pride in his political accomplishments.

Sadly, I must announce the passing of a respected resident of the Tlicho region, Joe Migwi. Mr. Migwi was a respected Tlicho elder who was involved in the negotiations of the Tlicho land claims and was also deeply involved in the Tlicho community and organizations. Please stand and join me in observing a moment of silence in memory of our colleague Jobie Nutarak from Nunavut and respected Tlicho elder Joe Migwi.

---Minute of Silence