Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to take this opportunity, as well, to thank the constituents of Frame Lake who voted for me and put me into this particular office. I'd also like to give thanks to the other candidates, Mr. Jeff Groenewegen and Mr. Chris Johnston, who ran against me in opposition. As has been stated, they gave up much for the months of August and September in order to run for election. I need to thank, as well, all those who assisted me with my campaign: my campaign coordinator, my official agent, all the volunteers who assisted with the campaign and, in particular, my team of advisors.

I have to give special note to an import, a dear friend of mine who came north for one month to assist me with the campaign and proved to be absolutely invaluable.

Without Marg Hall I doubt if I would have been successful.

Last but not least, I need to thank my family. In the North, me being an import, I am from away but not from Newfoundland. In the North, your friends tend to become your family and I need to thank those of my northern family who were totally supportive of me in my campaign.

The election results in Frame Lake were more than I'd hoped for and I feel very honoured to have such confidence shown in me. At the risk of being repetitive, I need to extend congratulations to you, Mr. Speaker, to the Premier, and to the members of the Executive Council who have been recently elected, and I look forward to working with all of you for the betterment of the Northwest Territories.

On the occasion of the opening of this 16th Legislative

Assembly, it's such a privilege for me to be here. The Premier mentioned yesterday that it's a humbling experience and I agree totally. This wonderful institution and this building, as I enter it daily, I still am in awe and I find it very hard to believe that when I walk in here, I'm walking to work, I am coming to my office.

This is a new challenge for me. I'm excited for it; I'm looking forward to it. I look at the Members assembled in this House and I see great opportunity. I think that we can do good; I think that we can achieve results; and I think if we work together, it will be for the betterment of the NWT and all of our residents. Thank you.

---Applause