Good afternoon, colleagues. I want to take this opportunity to welcome you all back to the Chamber after our summer recess. I hope that you return committed and eager to continue our work for the people of the Northwest Territories.
In many ways, this fall appears to be a season of change for our Assembly. First of allI would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome on behalf of all Members to the new Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George L. Tuccaro.
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Commissioner Tuccaro was sworn into office on May 28, 2010, and one of his first official duties was to accompany me on a Speaker’s Mace Tour. Everywhere we went, it was evident that the Commissioner was well known, well liked, and well respected. Again, on behalf of all Members, I wish the Commissioner much success in his new position and we look forward to welcoming him into the Chamber.
Another timely fall change is the installation and start-up of our biomass heating system for the Legislative Assembly building. The Assembly continues to be a leader in green initiatives and I look forward to the formal ribbon cutting for the wood pellet boiler which will take place on Friday, October 29th , at 2:00 p.m. I invite all Members to
join me for this event.
Another innovative project supported by this House is the implementation of an On-line Petition Pilot Program. As directed by a motion of the House, and in an effort to increase the opportunities for participation for all citizens in the NWT, the Assembly is launching an e-Petition Pilot Program to run from October 2010 to June 2011. This program will allow residents to set up and to sign petitions on-line, in addition to the current practice of signing personally. In June 2011 the Assembly will evaluate the pilot program. The on-line petition
site can be accessed from the Assembly’s website and will go live on Friday, October 22, 2010.
I would also like to welcome the Pages who have joined us this session. We will have young people from Yellowknife, Tu Nedhe, Inuvik Twin Lakes, Hay River North, Nunakput, Monfwi and the Sahtu. It is always a great pleasure to have our young people join us.
On a more sombre note, colleagues, I would like to extend the sympathies of the House to the families and communities who have lost loved ones since last we met. The North has lost several respected elders, and while we mourn their passing, we celebrate the wisdom and knowledge they have left behind.
Colleagues, it is now my duty to advise the House that I’ve 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 (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2011-2012;
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2009-2010;
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2009-2010;
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2010-2011; and
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2010-2011
during the Fifth Session of the 16th Legislative
Assembly. Yours truly, George Tuccaro, Commissioner.
With that, colleagues, orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.