Reorganizing how we provide GNWT programs and services and revamping our policies to enable people to rise out of poverty would achieve such a coordinated result. I look forward to seeing the result of the work of the Anti-Poverty Working Group. I would like to thank all of them for their efforts to date and for the work that they will do in the coming months. This working group is a great example of the benefits of collaboration, working together for the betterment of all NWT residents. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues from across this great territory, as we roll up our sleeves for a very energetic and hopefully productive couple of weeks.

With all the recent municipal elections and school board action in the past month, I am really looking forward to harnessing all the new focus and new ideas that were shared amongst so many great civic leaders. From Iqaluit to Whitehorse, from Fort Smith to Inuvik, the North was a myriad of topics that were all designed to improve our everyday lives.

We wish to take this time to thank the many brave candidates that sacrificed so much – and I say brave because it takes a special person to let their name stand for public office – put their lives on hold, and to stand with conviction on topics that affect us. Sometimes you get those who oppose you, and most time you get those people who support you and in the end you hope that your principles are supported enough to generate that special gesture we call a vote.

To those who came up on top with the votes required to win, on behalf of the Members of the

Legislative Assembly, congratulations to you, your families and your communities.

For those who didn’t get elected, we want to personally thank you for your efforts. We know losing is a painful and heartbreaking experience but it teaches us dignity. We know that many of you will get back on your feet really quickly. Your efforts, your words and your actions did not go unnoticed. Just because you lost doesn’t mean that your advocacies, whether it be on poverty, education, health, or economy, went to the wayside. Your pledges and your promises will be championed by others and you will enjoy knowing that you played a part in our territory’s well-being.

Finally, to all of those who took the time to exercise their democratic right, we thank you, the voter, for your time and your support. I was pleased to see that the municipal election voter turnout was as strong as it was in 2009, with a strong showing of 49 percent in Yellowknife, and many other jurisdictions reporting over 40 percent turnout. This makes me wonder how it is that our very territorial elections cannot muster the same achievements that we see across the board. This is something that the Assembly needs to discuss in the next couple of years.

Speaking of years, I am happy to say that the voters will now enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and a break from candidates knocking on their door, especially for the next three years as there should be no elections to speak of. Rest up, voters, because in 2015 will emerge the perfect storm as all three levels of governments and school boards will have elections within the same time period. To all you potential candidates across the North, time to reserve your lawns now as space will be limited.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to offer my congratulations to the successful candidates in Monday’s municipal election in Hay River. I look forward to working closely with Mayor-elect Andrew Cassidy and councillors Brad Mapes, Kandis Jameson, Keith Dohey, Donna Lee Jungkind, Vince McKay, Roger Candow, Jason Coakwell and Michael Maher. While Mayor Cassidy and councillors McKay and Maher bring the wisdom of municipal experience to this group, others bring fresh ideas and new perspectives.

We have the voice for youth in Councillor Dohey, a fourth-generation Hay Riverite, and might I say that Mr. Dohey was six years old when I first got elected

and he was interested in politics even back then. I predict we will see him in this House someday.

We also have a very active retired person, Councillor Candow, who will have less time for the golf course now. We have two women councillors: Councillor Jungkind and Councillor Jameson. We have two public servants: Councillor Maher and Councillor McKay. We have two business managers in Councillor Jungkind and Councillor Coakwell and two business owners in Councillor Jameson and Councillor Mapes. So you see we have a very diverse group representing Hay River.

I wish this dynamic group every success in becoming an effective team and tackling major issues, such as Hay River’s aging infrastructure and our sputtering economy, with the full confidence of our community. The new council can count on my support and assistance.

Hay River also elected its district education authority on Monday. The DEA makes important and often difficult decisions on planning, operations and staffing our community schools. Congratulations to DEA members Kirk Carston, Melanie Carter, Terence Courtoreille, Kandis Jameson, Melvin Larocque and Louise Schuman, all of whom were elected by acclamation. I’d like to thank them for stepping forward to serve.

I would also like to say a sincere thank you to all of the candidates who ran for municipal office in Hay River and throughout the Northwest Territories, including those who weren’t elected. It’s never easy putting your name forward for public office. Campaigning takes time, money, support and very patient family and friends. It takes courage, sacrifice and commitment. Everyone who ran successfully or not in being elected, contributed to the democratic process and to the public debate on important issues in our communities and they all have my deepest respect and gratitude.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been blessed this year with one of the best summers on record and I hope that everybody, although you’re really busy, had an opportunity to get out and enjoy it.

As usual, over extended periods of time there have definitely been some high points and some low points. On the low side, over the last couple of months we have lost some great northern residents. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the family of

Theresa Crane. Theresa passed away this summer. I’ve known Theresa for a number of years and she was a fantastic lady. I enjoyed receiving phone calls from Theresa and having her ask me to come down for tea and politics, where we would discuss and discuss and discuss issues important to her and the Northwest Territories. She was a long-time resident of Yellowknife and the Great Slave riding, and through discussions it was clear that she truly loved Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. She was an active volunteer and she cared passionately about everyone that she came into contact with. She’ll definitely be missed.

In addition to the sad events, though, we also witnessed some amazing milestones over the last couple of months. By way of an example, on September 25th a constituent of mine in the Great

Slave riding and a long-time Northerner, Ms. Annette Lemay, celebrated her 90th birthday. I

recently communicated with John and Joan Snuverink and their friend Phyliss LaFleur, who were long-time friends of Annette. They shared some stories and highlights of Annette’s life. They all wish Annette a happy birthday.

Annette was born on September 25, 1922. She and her husband Aurel moved to Yellowknife shortly after they were married on May 17, 1952. She was 30 at the time. They celebrated their 60th wedding

anniversary in Yellowknife this year. Annette has tirelessly volunteered with the community at the Roman Catholic Church for the past 60 years. She volunteered on a regular basis until last year, 2011. Her friends have commonly referred to her as remarkable. As a note, Lemay Drive in Yellowknife was named after Annette’s husband, Aurel, for his long-time contribution and career at Yellowknife Giant Mine. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Annette a happy 90th birthday and wish both

Aurel and Annette a belated happy 60th anniversary. It’s people like Annette and Aurel who help make Yellowknife the great city that it is.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]

I would like to pay tribute to the late Frederick Harold Lafferty of Fort Resolution. Frederick was born August 19, 1939, and passed away on July 3, 2012, at the age of 73. Frederick was a Metis man who lost his wife many years ago and lived his life for his grandchildren, children and great-grandchildren.

Frederick has spent the last few years in long-term care here at Stanton Hospital. Frederick was a family oriented man who devoted a great deal of his time to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by family, and you could tell that when you attended his funeral, all the pictures of him and his family.

Frederick is survived by his siblings Frank, Gaby, Peter and Alice. His children were: Frank, my brother-in-law; Darryl, Elaine, Melvin, Julia, Fred, Greg and Dexter. His grandchildren were: Austin, Jordan, Scott, Jaeda, Destry, Lisa, Darryl Jr., Deborah, Carol, Jackie, Ryley, Nikkita, Bayleigh and Caitlyn. He had three great-grandchildren: Grace, Tristan and Payton. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many other relatives in Fort Resolution. Frederick was practically related to everyone in Res.

Frederick was very close with his family and spent a lot of time with them. Frederick was the son of the late Victor and Virginia Lafferty. My condolences go out to Frederick’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings and all the other family members in Fort Resolution and Hay River.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two visitors from Fort McPherson: Marion Greenland and Stephanie Ross. Welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Member for Monfwi, Mr. Lafferty.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize the members of the Aboriginal Head Start Council that are here with us in the gallery. First, from Inuvik, Teresa McNab and Amanda Bernhardt; from Paulatuk, Alice Thrasher; from Fort McPherson, Stephanie Ross and Marion Greenland; from Behchoko, Louisa Richardson and Marlyss Richardson; from Ndilo, Robin Gladstone, Pam Abramchuk, Fred Tsetta and Reanna Erasmus; from Fort Providence, Joyce McLeod, Belinda Sabourin and Sabrina McLeod; from Hay River Reserve, Rene Squirrel and Trudy Coutrie; from Fort Smith, Janine Rommel. Also their consultants that are here with us: Chalmers & Associates Consulting, Dr. Jennifer Chalmers and Kim Wingert. Thank you for being here with us.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Mr. Michael McLeod, former Minister and MLA for Deh Cho.

I’d also like to recognize a long-time educator, my sister Margaret Field and granddaughter Kimberly, and Derek.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the outset I would like to recognize a constituent who recently received in the mail a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, Lyda Fuller. Congratulations to Lyda. It’s a medal well deserved.

I’d like to also recognize two of our city councillors, Lydia Bardak and Amanda Mallon, who are here with us today.

I cannot ignore Mr. Tony Whitford, so welcome to the House, Tony. I’m sure everybody’s going to do that as well.

I’d like to also recognize Kim Doyle, who is the executive director for the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society, and Jeff Renaud, who is the new executive director for Avens.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize a former colleague from the Deh Cho, Mr. Michael McLeod. We got sworn in a year ago today so your cooling off period is over, so get back to work.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize my brother Michael McLeod and his wife, my sister-in-law, Joyce McLeod, and my great niece Sabrina McLeod.

Thank you Mr. Premier. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the representative of the Aboriginal Head Start for Fort Smith. Aboriginal Head Start is a tremendous program. Both my grandchildren went there. I’d like to recognize Ms. Janine Rommel.

As well, my friend and colleague, a good old Fort Smith boy who moved to Yellowknife, the Honourable Tony Whitford, and my former colleague, as well, who I had coffee with at 7:30 this morning, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.