Good afternoon, colleagues.
Colleagues, it is with great sadness that I inform the House of the passing of a former Member, Speaker and Minister, Michael Ballantyne. Mike was first elected as the Member for Yellowknife North in the 10
Legislative Assembly in 1983. He was
subsequently re-elected by acclamation in 1987 to the 11
Assembly and re-elected to the 12
Assembly in 1991.
During his time as a Member of the Legislative Assembly he served as Government House Leader, Minister of Justice, Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board. Mike also served as a member of several standing committees of the House and, as well, on the Special Committee on Aboriginal Languages in 1989 and 1990. He chaired the Special Committee on Constitutional Reform from 1990 to 1991.
On November 13, 1991, Mike was appointed the sixth Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Speaker Ballantyne played a vital role in the establishment of a permanent home for our Legislature, and on November 17, 1993, he presided over the first sitting of the House in this impressive and symbolically important building.
On behalf of all current and former Members of the Legislative Assembly, I wish to express the sincere condolences of this House to the family and friends of Michael Ballantyne. Members, please stand and join me in observing a moment of silent reflection on the achievements and contributions of a northern leader.
The House observed one minute of silence.