Question.

---Carried

Bill 1 has had first reading. Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

BILL 1:

2012-2013

Question.

---Carried

Bill 1 has had second reading. Item 19, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Item 20, report of Committee of the Whole. Item 21, third reading of bills. Mr. Miltenberger.

BILL 1:

2012-2013

Question.

---Carried

Bill 1 has had third reading.

Members, I will now give my ruling on the two points or order raised last week. The first one was raised by Mr. Miltenberger on December 8

th about

something Mr. Bromley said. The second was raised by Mr. Bromley on December 9

th about

comments made by the Premier and Mr. Miltenberger. I don’t want to repeat any of these comments today because it has taken too much of the time of the House already.

I allowed discussion on both points of order. Two comments stuck out to me in talking to Mr. Bromley on his point of order. The Premier said, “...if you are

going to use inflammatory phrases like he did, I guess he should expect that he will get the same kind.” Mr. Bromley responded by asking, “Do two wrongs make a right?”

All the Members involved here are experienced Members. Experienced Members should be setting a good example for all other Members, not showing them what not to do. They have to be respectful in language and not make bad situations worse. Last week one Member used strong language to make his point that was important to him. Some Members took real offence to Mr. Bromley’s choice of words. Rather than try to tone things down, Minister Miltenberger and Premier McLeod turned it up with more strong language. They gave strong meaning to Mr. Bromley’s comments that I don’t think he intended.

Colleagues, two wrongs don’t make a right. I’ll repeat what I said in the House following the second point of order. The people elected us here and want us to work for the people, not throw insults back and forth to each other. I considered ruling both against Mr. Bromley and Mr. McLeod. I don’t think that would do anything to change the direction we have taken so far. This is our last sitting day of the year. I want all Members to think about why we were sent here and why we are here to represent our people. I know we care about their issues. That doesn’t mean we should be disrespectful to each other in the language we use. Members need to think before they speak, thicken their skin and find ways to solve problems together.

Therefore, there are no points of order.

Speaker’s Closing Remarks

As we prepare to conclude the First Session of the 17

th Legislative Assembly, I’d like to thank you for

your hard work you have done in this short time. You have appointed your committees, received and given briefings on a variety of issues of importance to the NWT, made statements, answered questions, and considered and adopted the capital budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

During this sitting we also had the pleasure of welcoming Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston on their first official visit to the Northwest Territories. This was the first time a Governor General has addressed the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly during a formal sitting of the House.

Another first, colleagues, was the invitation you issued to the Aboriginal leaders to join us on the floor of the House to hear what the Governor General’s address was. As I said earlier, a short but very busy two weeks.

On behalf of all Members, I’d like to thank all of the Pages who helped us in the last two weeks. We had Pages from the following schools: William

McDonald School in Yellowknife, P.W. Kaeser High School in Fort Smith and Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik. Our sincere thanks to you all for your hard work.

---Applause

Colleagues, now I want to wish each of you, and your families and loved ones, the very best of the holiday season and to all your family and friends. I’d also like to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to my constituents in Nunakput and, indeed, to all residents of the NWT. I look forward to returning home to Tuk and taking part in the community celebrations that are happening all across the North. Enjoying Christmas concerts, the excitement and special visits with family and friends and I’m really looking forward to going to Aklavik.

I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday and a happy and healthy New Year. Colleagues, I wish you all safe travels as we leave here today and I look forward seeing you back in this House in the new year.

Mr. Clerk, please ascertain if the Commissioner, the Honourable George Tuccaro, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills and prorogue the First Session of the 17

th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. I am pleased to be with you again in the Chamber today.

As the holiday season draws near, this is the perfect opportunity to wish each and every one of you a joyous and safe holiday season filled with hope, good health, inspiration and holiday time with your families and friends as we enter into the coming new year.

We look forward to the New Year as we continue to work together in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation for a more caring Northwest Territories.