Good afternoon, colleagues. It is a pleasure to welcome you back as we resume the Fifth Session of the 16th Legislative
Assembly. I would like to take this opportunity, belatedly, but most sincerely, to publicly extend my best wishes to you, my colleagues in this House, and to all the residents of the Northwest Territories for a peaceful and healthy New Year.
Today is Groundhog Day. My note said I was supposed to pause here for laughter, but...
---Laughter
However, right across the country it looks like the groundhog will not see his shadow today. As you know, this means we are in for an early spring. Regrettably, our rules are silent on this matter, so you can still expect another six weeks of session after today.
Although it has been several months since we last met in this Chamber, I know that each of you have been working diligently in committee, Cabinet and your constituencies during the extended adjournment. Your work will continue as this sitting promises to be a busy one.
Unfortunately, we have lost some of our revered and most loved elders since we last met. I would like to extend condolences of the House to all those who have recently lost loved ones. We are a small and interconnected Territory and we all mourn these losses together.
Colleagues, I know you are eager to begin your work here and I offer you my usual support. I look forward to a productive session, with lively debate reflecting the issues and concerns of the people we serve. I ask that you continue to devote your time and energy to make the necessary and thoughtful decisions that will guide the 16th Legislative
Assembly as we enter into our last portion of our mandate.
My expectation is that you will continue to treat each other and this institution with the respect and dignity that all deserve. I, in turn, will do my best to assist each of you to that end, applying your rules fairly and consistently to the very best of my ability.
In our efforts to bring the proceedings of this House to as many NWT residents as possible, the Assembly will continue to rebroadcast our proceedings in as many of our official languages as possible. During this sitting we will have interpretation
in the following languages:
Inuinnaqtun, South Slavey, Tlicho, Gwich’in, French, Chipewyan, Inuvialuktun, Inuktitut and North Slavey. Our thanks to the many interpreters who work with us to bring our words to your communities.
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 passage of:
• Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2011-2012;
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2010-2011; and
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2010-2011
during the Fifth Session of the 16th Legislative
Assembly. Yours truly, George Tuccaro, Commissioner.
Thank you, colleagues.
Orders of the Day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.