This is page numbers 545 - 573 of the Hansard for the 15th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was assembly.

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Appreciation And Best Wishes
Item 3: Members' Statements

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to close today's 15th Assembly statement by the same way I came into the Assembly almost four years ago. I have some special thank yous and acknowledgements. Mr. Speaker, although we all mention several times we can never mention everyone, there are certain people that I think that I am going to take the risk and highlight their performance. Mr. Speaker, the Members' secretary, Verna Currimbhoy, has been an incredible support. She has always been there to help every one of us; that is the Regular Members, Mr. Speaker. She works diligently and always worries and makes sure everything is good and handled quite well. Mr. Speaker, her presence upstairs has been a huge asset to this Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, an MLA doesn't do their work alone. Sometimes, when you are knocking on those Ministers' doors, all you keep getting is shut doors and someone is ignoring your call.

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Some Hon. Members

...(inaudible)...

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

However, Mr. Speaker, it is important to point out the executive assistants, some past and present

that I think have made an exceptional impact on some of the work that I have been able to succeed with. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make special mention to Katherine Robinson who worked for the honourable Mr. Dent for some time.

---Applause

Allen Stanzell, with his keen eye for detail in getting back to me.

---Applause

Mr. Doug Pon has worked for Minister McLeod for all the way through.

---Applause

They are fine, outstanding individuals. They made the work here so much more successful and rewarding with their assistance.

Mr. Speaker, the Legislative Assembly security staff are stalwarts: Ray, Dennis and Ian. They have always been great out front here. They are an important part of this Assembly.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, I can't forget to mention the valuable support the constituents of Yellowknife Centre have offered. I have always appreciated them bringing forward their concerns to me, from their advice to sometimes even their criticism on how this government should be doing better. Without that support, MLAs would be lost without that guidance. So thank you to them.

Mr. Speaker, Coady Summerfield has been my constituency assistant for the last two and a half years. His steadfast support and attention to detail has always been appreciated. Every smart man...Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Hawkins.

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Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, as I was trying to say, every smart man always makes special mention of his wife, because she is certainly the backbone of everything. To my two sons, McKinley and Hudson, although I won't be seeing you much for the next six weeks, I will still be thinking of you every day.

To all the Members here, thank you for your support. To all the constituents of Yellowknife Centre, thank you for your support, and good luck to everyone. It has been an exciting roller coaster working with everyone. I am sure I will see everyone back except for the retirees, that is. I will see everyone back in six weeks. Thank you.

---Applause

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is not too often, since becoming a Member of the 15th Legislative Assembly and serving as a Minister in this government, I have had an opportunity to stand up and reflect on the constituents of Inuvik Boot Lake or the work that I have done on their behalf. I felt this morning and my wife reminded me as she is back home and said, other people are doing it. You need to get up and say something as well.

I tend to try to leave things for back home and talk to the folks there, but I want to say to the people of Inuvik Boot Lake I have to most sincerely thank them for their support of sending me back here to be their representative in this government. It is truly an honour and a privilege to serve the people of the Territories because I do believe, as I first came here back three terms ago, that this is the people's government. The way we operate here in a consensus style is about the people and we represent their interests when we have our debates in this forum. That is something I look forward and have to say thank you for their support. If the good people of Inuvik Boot Lake want to see me back here again, I look forward to their continued support, as I hope to return and serve the people of Inuvik Boot Lake and the people of the territory and returning here possibly for a fourth time.

More importantly, Mr. Speaker, I think along with the people that we represent, whether it is...I remember some grannies, as they say -- but not from Nahanni but from Inuvik Boot Lake -- in the way they talk to you; the elders of our community in giving you advice and telling you that you are doing a good job. Sometimes I have gone back home after being in this setting and feeling that I truly was starting to wear the job. As some people would joke, I entered rooms with a dark cloud over my head, the black hat and the black cape to give the bad news. But, Mr. Speaker, when I go back home and they remind me you are doing a good job; keep working and keep representing us. It is good that I can come back here with a renewed spirit and drive. I hope that continues.

Mr. Speaker, when we are down here, as we have heard around this table, we can't do the job by ourselves. It takes a lot of commitment by other people in our areas. I have never done this as I can recall in the term of a Member of the Assembly, but I am going to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Roland. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. For the first time, you may conclude your statement, Mr. Roland.

---Laughter

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. There may be a couple in there, but I always prided myself in sticking to two and a half minutes. I thought I might be able to do that, but I guess I have been a politician for awhile and I have gone on longer as the hair has gone whiter. I just want to say, without the staff that we have to help us do our job, to help us keep us on time, keep us on track and keep us moving, it would be a very long, arduous process. I have to thank them. From the front line staff I have had this term to staff I have had in Inuvik, they definitely help us do our job and help

represent the people that we are here to represent as well. Without them, the messages can be long and slow. We need to get back to the people we represent.

Mr. Speaker, as we have heard around here -- Members of the Assembly, many of us with families, some who have just got a hint of families -- as we started, I can recall in my first term as a Member when one of my children was in a bunting bag. The second term, there was another child in a bunting bag. This last term, no more bunting bags. I can say if I come back this time around, for sure no more bunting bags.

---Laughter

As Minister of Finance, I have done my part to ensure that, for the population statistics of the NWT, we get more money.

---Applause

Mr. Speaker, seriously, without our families and the support of our families, we would not be able to do our jobs. I have to say to my wife, Shawna, without her support -- and my going back for forgiveness from time to time of missing times -- and respect, that this definitely wouldn't be worthwhile doing the job without family support. So I thank her for that.

Mr. Speaker, it is definitely a privilege to serve the Members in this Assembly and the people of the Territories. One thing I used to sign off with, I will sign off with one more time. Greetings back to my wife and children in Inuvik. Thank you.

---Applause

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you for that very short conclusion to your Member's statement, Mr. Roland. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

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Charles Dent

Charles Dent Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it's the last day for oral questions for me in this House. Can you hear the sigh of relief?

---Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the last day as I work in this House I would like to reflect a bit on the past 16 years and first of all, though, pay tribute to my role models, and I had two; they were my parents. Both were very politically active. My mother was a tremendous organizer and backroom strategist; while my dad was the politician. I learned from them. I learned the importance of applying common sense, listening to constituents and the public, and communicating. They taught me the importance of integrity and a principled approach. Their training has stood me very well in my work here and I think would stand anybody well as they seek to do the job in our Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to very quickly extend some thanks. Again, I'd like to thank my constituents. It's been an incredible honour that they have chosen me for 16 years to represent them. I'd like to thank particularly my Cabinet colleagues for the last four years. It's been a very interesting and exciting time to be on Cabinet and be in government in this Assembly.

I've enjoyed working with the Members of the Assembly, some for four years, some for eight years, some for 12 years. Yes, Mrs. Groenewegen, some for 12 years. I know you're hoping to come back as the dean of the Assembly, but we'll see. I hope they don't call you the oldest Member as they have been calling me.

---Laughter

I'd also like to, again, thank the Assembly staff. They have done a tremendous job of making sure that we could do our work here in this House. My ministerial office staff and constituency assistants over the years and, again, particularly my family. I was really surprised to see my wife, Eileen, and son, Tyler, in the gallery today.

---Applause

I'm sure they came just to make sure that I didn't change my mind and announce that I was running again. I also thought I'd better mention it now, Mr. Speaker, because I know that my wife doesn't like to be recognized and I think she might sneak out before recognition of visitors in the gallery, so I thought I'd better say something now.

I'd like to wish all of my colleagues good luck, whether you're seeking re-election or retiring to other pursuits as I am. It's been fun working with everybody here; I really enjoyed it. Mr. Speaker, it's been an extremely interesting time to be in government, in this Assembly and I'm extremely thankful that I've had the opportunity for this public service.

---Applause

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Krutko.

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I'd like to thank my constituents in the Mackenzie Delta and the people of the Mackenzie Delta for allowing me to serve for the last 12 years. More importantly, my constituency staff which included Liz Wright, Sue Ellen Wilson, Elaine Blake from Tsiigehtchic, and Jean Pascal from Aklavik. Mr. Speaker, in regards to the support that we all get as Members of this House, we can never forget our community leaders, our elders, and, more importantly, our constituents who are the ones that drive us and ensure the reason that we're here is to serve them.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a real honour over the last 12 years in this House in regards to dealing with issues such as the water rise that we had to battle with from floods in our communities, to the crisis of programs and services being delivered. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, again working with our community leaders and our community municipalities to find solutions by working through communicating with each other and finding solutions to these problems. More importantly, working with Members in this House along with our government.

Mr. Speaker, in the last 12 years of this House, there were the four amigos and I think the four amigos, like I

mentioned, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Roland and the dean of the House, Mr. Dent. Again, I'd like to wish Charles all the best in regards to his new career in regards to getting out of politics. I think most people think that's the easy part, but the problem is: don't get back into it. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing colleagues along with Mr. Bell, Baby Bell as he's better known, and I'd like to thank him for his hard work and his efforts that he has put into a lot of initiatives in this House. Again, I'd like to wish him all the best in his endeavours wherever it takes him. Along with the Premier, Mr. Handley; under your leadership you have made a difference to the Northwest Territories and the people of the Northwest Territories and also for bringing our communities, our regions and our community together. Again, that's a challenge on its own. So mahsi cho. Bill Braden, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity for serving with you. Again, I'd like to wish you all the best. I can always recall all those many, many questions that you asked. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude you statement, Mr. Krutko.

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Braden, again, I'd like to wish you all the best in your endeavours in moving forward. Again, it was an honour serving with you but, more importantly, responding to the many, many questions that you've asked over the last while. But I think it's more importantly your wisdom, your knowledge and the importance of the issues that you took to this table in trying to find solutions for the people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to thank the staff of the Legislative Assembly along with the staff throughout government, because without them we know our jobs would not be completed.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of this Legislative Assembly for giving me a chance to serve as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for a short term, and I would like to thank Mr. Speaker for taking on that role and leading us to this point.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff that I had in the different roles that I played along with the Clerks of the Legislative Assembly, with Mr. Hamilton at the reign and now Mr. Mercer, Mr. Inch and Mr. Schauerte. I think it's you people that make us look good and think a lot of times people have to realize that it's the people in the back rooms that are doing all the work. All we're doing is playing to the cameras.

---Laughter

Again, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my staff Clarence Emberley, Corrine Kruse, and, more importantly, the many people I worked with in the different departments: Workers' Compensation Board, the Power Corporation and the Housing Corporation, for all their efforts. So with that, mahsi cho. Thank you.

---Applause

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

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Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Mr. Speaker...(English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that back in 2003 during the election, I was glad to be elected to the Legislature. At that time I didn't have good use of my aboriginal language and people always said go to the communities, go visit the elders, and that's what I've done. Now I can visit them, drink and have tea with them and listen to them and to their stories. I receive lots of guidance from them. I am very happy to say that there is an actual granny from Nahanni. I have spoken with her and she is very happy, Mr. Speaker, to see that in some small way, I guess, that her voice has been heard. I pride myself and the community that that's how our consensus government works. We're able to go to the communities and listen to the people and sit with them and move their issues and their concerns forward and bring them to this Legislature.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to say, as well, I had the honour and privilege of being on the Regular Members' side for three years. I've gained lots of experience on that side working with the Regular Members and I'd like to tell them now good luck in their terms to come and the things they're about to do, Mr. Speaker.

As well, I also had the honour and privilege to serve one year in this Legislature as a Minister of our government. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Menicoche.

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Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In my one year as a Minister, I've learned quite a bit and that bureaucracy has a lot to play with here too. I would also like to share my funny story. My first act as a Minister in this government was to sign a letter to Mr. Kevin Menicoche, MLA for Nahendeh.

---Laughter

I said, well, what's going on and they told me that I have to finish a loop. But I, too, would just like to say goodbye to Mr. Handley, Mr. Dent and Mr. Bell, who I've had the honour and pleasure of working with and wish them the best on their endeavours. As well, to Mr. Braden who I've had the pleasure of working with too. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

---Applause

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Members' statements. The honourable Member from Deh Cho, Mr. McLeod.

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wasn't planning to make a statement today, but I didn't want to be the odd man out. So in the last day of our session I wanted to say a couple words. First of all, that it's been a real pleasure to be here for my two terms and it's been, I guess, quite surprising that we lasted the whole eight years that I've been here, because getting into this job was a real eye opener. I looked at it from the outside for quite awhile before I made the decision, along with my family and my friends. When I got here I realized that there was a lot of people here for the same reasons that I was here: because I wanted to see change, I wanted to see a better community, I wanted to see a better life for my constituents. However, after meeting a lot of different people I started to wonder because one of my colleagues that I met, one of his past times I think was to read the dictionary and find new words to use in the House. I also met some of the more experienced MLAs of day like Mr. Krutko, who taught me how to ask question after question after question...

---Laughter

...whether the Minister was going to give me an answer or not. Of course, Charles Dent, who was here for some time already. I learned to take the opposite position of everything he said...

---Laughter

...and we got along quite fine.

Mr. Speaker, I know everybody here is really keen on seeing this day come and also to get out there to start campaigning. Mr. Speaker, I'm quite anxious to get out there and start campaigning. I was planning to start tomorrow, but unfortunately we've got a bridge signing ceremony to do.

---Laughter

So I'll probably start on Monday or sometime after that.

Mr. Speaker, there's been a number of people that I have been gifted or very happy to meet along the way and a lot of them are leaving in the next while and not coming back. First of all, the guy that I sat next to for eight years on the Regular Members' side and on Cabinet, Mr. Brendan Bell, who has been recognized by a lot of our colleagues here as very sharp and very hard working. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

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The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. McLeod.

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Michael McLeod

Michael McLeod Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I don't know if everybody recognizes, but Mr. Bell really has a very wild sense of humour. In the last while we've been sitting together and we're just like the two old men from the Muppet Show.

---Laughter

We've watched as people stood up to ask questions and tried to predict what they're going to say and Brendan usually wins and he won more money off me today.

---Laughter

We talk about people's clothes, we talk...

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Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Okay, okay.

---Laughter