Please be seated. Good afternoon, colleagues, and welcome back as we resume the Fourth Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

I know that you have met together in committees earlier this month, but as this is the first time in 2010 that we have come together in this Chamber, I trust it is not too late to extend my personal best wishes to you and to your families and, indeed, to all the residents of the Northwest Territories for a happy and healthy New Year.

On a much sadder note, I wish to extend the sincere sympathies of this House to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Although it seems like a great distance exists between Haiti and the NWT, watching the devastation that has occurred draws us all together. We send our thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti as they attempt to carry on in the face of this disaster.

I also know that some of us have lost friends and loved ones since we were last in this Chamber, and I want to pass on my sincere condolences to the families and communities affected and to let them know that my thoughts and prayers are with them.

I know you are eager to turn your attention to the work at hand, colleagues, and I will close with my customary request. I ask 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.

It is now my duty to advise this 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 passage of:

•

Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2010-2011;

•

Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2009-2010;

•

Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2009-2010; and

•

Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2010-2011

during the Fourth Session of the 16tth Legislative Assembly.

Yours truly, Anthony, W.J. Whitford, Commissioner.

Thank you, colleagues.

Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger. .