Please be seated. Colleagues, welcome back to the Chamber for the continuation of the Fifth Session of the 16th Legislative Assembly.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the elders of our Territory who participated in the first Elders Parliament held in the Northwest Territories and, in fact, the First Elders’ Parliament held in any commonwealth country.

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The special parliament took place last week and I was honoured to serve as Speaker for this historic event.

The Elders Parliament clearly celebrated the wisdom of our elders, the knowledge and history they bring from their communities, and their wonderful humour and generosity in sharing their knowledge. To each participant, thank you again for your unique contribution.

Members will notice that their seats in the Chamber are covered with fur and seal pelts, on loan from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Development. The pelts were used during Elders Parliament for the comfort of participants, and to highlight the importance of the traditional economy and the role it plays in all our lives. We are fortunate to have them on hand during this sitting of the House.

It is now my duty, colleagues, to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Deputy 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

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

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Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2010-2011

during the Fifth Session of the 16th Legislative

Assembly. Yours truly, Margaret Thom, Deputy Commissioner.

Thank you, colleagues,

Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.