Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Is there a seconder to the motion? Mr. Menicoche.
---Carried
Colleagues, I have some brief comments before we adjourn for the weekend.
The year 2012 marks the 60
th anniversary of the
reign of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. The Northwest Territories joins all Canadian provinces and territories, indeed all Commonwealth jurisdictions, in celebrating this historic event. Her Majesty took the throne on February 6, 1952, and her coronation took place on June 2, 1953. In the NWT, our relationship with Her Majesty is a special one. It was on April 21, 1994, that Queen Elizabeth II dedicated our legislative Chamber to all the people of the Northwest Territories.
Since February we have had two of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee flags displayed in our Chamber and another will fly from our flagpole this weekend, marking the coronation date on Saturday, June 2
nd .
This House passed a motion of congratulations to Her Majesty on February 7, 2012, and on the same day made the first presentations in the NWT to Diamond Jubilee medal recipients. The celebrations will continue, colleagues, with medal presentations happening in many of our communities during the remainder of the Diamond Jubilee Year. In fact, nominations are still open for those wishing to nominate someone for a Diamond Jubilee medal. The nomination form can be found on the GNWT website.
The Assembly has also housed a book of congratulations for all Northerners to sign. The book is being circulated to northern schools and will eventually be forwarded to Her Majesty in London.
Finally, colleagues, I would like to invite you and all northern residents to join me in the Diamond Jubilee planting of six amber jubilee ninebark shrubs to take place on Thursday, June 14
th , at the
rise of the House. During her 2010 visit to Canada, Her Majesty participated in a planting ceremony in Manitoba for this newly created shrub, which was named in honour of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee. The province of Manitoba has generously provided these shrubs to all provinces and territories and we will join the rest of the country as we find a place on
the grounds of the Assembly to plant these beautiful shrubs.
Thank you, colleagues. Now, Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.