Good afternoon, colleagues. Welcome back to the Chamber as we resume the second session of the 16th Legislative

Assembly.

I trust you have all taken the opportunity during the summer recess of the House, and amid your constituency, committee and Ministerial work, to enjoy time with family and friends. Some of you may have enjoyed time out on the land or helped in celebrating special events in your communities. Some of you may have been fortunate enough to visit with distant family. However you chose to spend your time this past summer, I trust that you are rested and eager to resume our work in this Chamber.

One of my pleasures since we last met has been to travel once again with the Mace of the Northwest Territories, this time to the community of Fort Smith. The Mace continues to elicit awe and pride in young and old alike as residents of the Northwest Territories are given the opportunity to see this beautiful symbol of our land and our people.

I would like at this time to take the opportunity to extend the condolences of the Assembly to those communities that have lost loved ones and leaders over the summer. We suffer these losses together, and our thoughts have been with you.

As you know, Members, the Assembly introduced its television broadcasting network during our last sitting. We will have interpreters and will be recording three official languages plus the language of the floor each day during the sitting. The Assembly can then choose one of the recorded languages to accompany the rebroadcast of our proceedings in each community. We are looking forward to providing interpretation in all 11 official languages, in turn, during this sitting.

Members, as you are aware, we are in the midst of a federal election campaign. I wish to remind all Members of your duty and obligation to uphold the principles and integrity of consensus government and to refrain from entering into partisan debate on the floor of this Assembly.

I will close with my customary request, colleagues, that we work together, as always, in the best interests of the people of the Northwest Territories and that we work with dignity and respect for the institution, for each other and for our constituents.

Colleagues, it is now my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads:

“Dear Mr. Speaker,

“I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passages of Appropriation Act Infrastructure Expenditures, 2009–2010 and Supplementary Appropriation No. 2, 2008–2009 during the second session of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

“Yours Truly,

“Anthony W.J. Whitford, Commissioner”

Thank you, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Roland.