Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here in this session, like my colleagues, I have supported the interim supplementary appropriations. Of particular significance was my support to the Inuvik to Tuk highway. While I realize that in the absence of industry activity in those areas of the North to create jobs and opportunity, the GNWT has an overall responsibility to serve the needs and interests of all Northerners.

It is with this in mind, I remind this House that my constituents in the Deh Cho still have some real needs in infrastructure and capital investment. I also encourage this House to support and encourage the continued progress of the Dehcho process negotiations. I understand the Government of Canada has a major role in land claims and self-government policies. The GNWT must ensure the interests of both the Dehcho and Northerners are addressed. The successful conclusion of those negotiations will only create a time of uncertainty and opportunities.

The communities that I represent, K’atl’odeeche, Enterprise, Kakisa and Fort Providence, are comprised of Dene, Metis and non-Aboriginals, like the rest of the Northwest Territories. We call these communities our home. Everything is not trampled, though, as we want it to be. My constituents have particular concerns and issues regarding health, housing, education and training, rates of crime and sometimes struggling to make ends meet. In the next few months I will be seeking support for the Deh Cho constituency.

I believe there are potential areas that this government and the Deh Cho communities could discuss. I’m confident that this House and government will continue its support of business growth. It plays a vital role in the life of our communities. I would like to see the continued progress towards a sustainable forest industry that could create jobs and opportunities in the Deh Cho and also the Northwest Territories.

I, too, would like to take an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, just to acknowledge the Wise Women Award for my community, Margaret Vandell, or Auntie Margaret, as we all know her. Margaret has been married to Norman and raised five boys. She’s got grandchildren right now that she enjoys. She’s heavily involved with the school, the Deh Gah School. In fact, there’s a camp along the winter road they call the Ena’s Camp. She is very active in traditional medicines. She’s very active also in community gatherings and ceremonies. I’d like to take this opportunity to say mahsi and congratulate her.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. For May/June I’ll remind the Members that Members’ statements are one topic. But it’s our last day here today. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

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

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

...reality, that’s what happened here. The community of Behchoko wanted a public library, so community members worked together to find a solution. The solution was to provide public access to the existing library at the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School. CJBS has always found ways to be innovative and creative.

Hours of operations are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday to Friday, and evenings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is exciting news for the community of Behchoko and a great opportunity for community members to take advantage of the community library. I’d like to thank the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School staff, the resources and community members for coming up with this solution.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I start my Member’s statement, I want to use this opportunity to wish my uncle Abel Tingmiak happy birthday. Abel is in his 60s and he’s still flying around on the blanket toss.

Spring carnivals are just around the corner. Up in the Beaufort-Delta we’re very fortunate that we’ve got four or five communities that are very closely linked and we’re able to travel between the communities to take part in the carnivals up there. We have the carnival in Tsiigehtchic, and the Peel River Jamboree in Fort McPherson, the Mad Trapper Rendezvous in Aklavik, the Beluga Jamboree in Tuk and the Muskrat Jamboree in Inuvik. It’s always a good opportunity for people to get together and meet old friends, compare their snowmobiles to see who’s got the fastest one and race their dog teams. Every community has a talent show and the talent in the Beaufort-Delta is the best in the Northwest Territories. So they always have a great time doing that.

I think all these carnivals are not possible without the hard work of so many people behind the scenes. Every year they volunteer, the same people over and over. So I think they need to be commended for all the work that they do.

They also wouldn’t be possible without the corporate citizens we have in our communities that contribute to these carnivals year after year. We have them right across the Northwest Territories. We have good corporate citizens in the Northwest Territories. Even with the slow economic times, they’re still freely giving of their money every year. I think all these people need to be commended for the good work they do supporting these carnivals. I thank all the people that put these carnivals together, the volunteers and the ones that do it year after year.

I would encourage all the people in the Beaufort-Delta and all the people across the Northwest Territories to take advantage of these great times. I would encourage them to take advantage of them and I would also encourage them to be very safe when they’re driving to and from these carnivals.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two Pages that have come from the small community of Jean Marie River. Miss Alisha Grossetete and Miss Kyla

Norwegian are in Grade 9. Thank you for your hard work this week.

Also to the chaperone, my cousin Ms. Yvonne Norwegian, who was here helping them throughout the week.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to recognize today in the gallery Lorraine Phaneuf, the executive director for the Status of Women Council; and Gail Cyr, special advisor to the Minister responsible for the Status of Women.

I’d also like to recognize Gaetan Caron, chair of the National Energy Board; Susan Bedouin, leader of paralegal service of the National Energy Board; and, of course, David Hamilton, member of the National Energy Board.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d also like to recognize our table officers today. I recognize Mr. Anthony “Tony” Whitford as the resident of Weledeh.

In the gallery, I believe, is Amanda Mallon, who was there earlier. She is a resident of Weledeh and city councillor.

Also there is Gail Cyr, who has been mentioned, a recent recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Also, if memory serves, also perhaps a past Wise Woman Award winner and most importantly, of course, a resident of Weledeh.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a Page who worked with us last week and has been working with us again this week: Brenda Joyce-Hotte. Thank you very much for all the work that you’ve done.

As well, I would like to recognize two members from the NWT Teachers’ Association who are with us today: Mr. Dave Roebuck, the executive director; and Ms. Gayla Meredith, who is the communications officer with the NWTTA.

I cannot ignore two acquaintances who are sitting at the Clerk’s Table. It’s an honour to have you two gentlemen here today: Mr. David Hamilton and Mr. Tony Whitford. Welcome, everyone.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me pleasure to recognize a constituent in the gallery: Lorraine Phaneuf.

I’d as well like to recognize on this occasion our very favourite table officer, albeit two, I should say, today; I should make sure that’s correct. I’d like to recognize my mentor, of course, the honourable Anthony W.J. Whitford. I’d also like to do special recognition to Mr. David Hamilton. He’s been a friend as well as a mentor of mine for so long I remember when he was taller than I was. I’ve known him that long.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank two Pages here from the area of Range Lake. We have Naoka Blondin and MacKinley Moore. Thank you for your assistance, guys.

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Lorraine Phaneuf and Gail Cyr, whose names are very familiar and common when it comes to efficient, healthy and positive programs across the Northwest Territories and in the communities. I’ve heard these names ever since I’ve been in the workforce, and I’m very glad to have finally met both of them and have them both in the House today.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Colleagues, I’d like to welcome again Ms. Danielle Bryan, a visiting student from the University of Toronto. This is her last day here with us, so all the best to you, Ms. Bryan.

I’d like to welcome all the visitors in the public gallery here today. Thank you for taking an interest in our proceedings here today.

Item 6, acknowledgements. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On January 26, 2012, the Canadian Rangers welcomed its 59th patrol to the Northern Canada

Group. Based on their website, the Canadian Rangers are the military eyes and ears in the North, hence their motivation. They’re watchers. There are 163 patrols across Canada. Many are Aboriginal and speak a native language. I want to acknowledge those people who make this a reality in the Northwest Territories and those who encourage them.

The Canadian Rangers provide a vital service to our country. It is important their commitment and dedication is acknowledged by everyone.

Deline has 16 volunteer Canadian Rangers and are now part of a larger family of over 1,500 in the Northern Canada Patrol Group. Congratulations, Deline, for setting an example through hard work and being role models for others to follow.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Item 7, oral questions. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.