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

I want to congratulate Mr. Dan Summers, principal of Deninu K’ue School in Fort Resolution, for being recognized as one of Canada’s outstanding principals for 2013. The Learning Partnership announced Mr. Summers as one of 51 exceptional educators to receive the Award for Excellence in Public Education.

Through his leadership at the Deninu School, since 2009 learning outcomes have significantly increased. In 2012, 87 percent of Deninu School students achieved a national average or better on a group reading achievement and diagnosis evaluation, more than 10 percent above the national average. This is almost double the results of 2008 when only 46 percent of the students achieved the national average. In 2011, 100 percent of the Deninu School grades 3 to 6 met the national standard on the Alberta Achievement Test for reading and writing. This test is one of the highest standards in the world. Through his positive attitude and focus on working effectively in partnership with others, Mr. Summers has been instrumental in changing the culture of teaching and learning in Fort Resolution.

Upon announcement of this award, Mr. Summers graciously attributed the success of his school to the strength in each of his staff and all hands-on-deck attitude. He is truly an inspiring man, and on behalf of the town of Fort Resolution, I want to thank him for all his hard work thus far in Fort Resolution. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Dolynny on February 6, 2013.

…(inaudible)... Item 10, returns to written questions. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Dolynny on February 6, 2013, regarding the itinerary for the 2013 diamond tour. Later today, at the appropriate time, I will table a document, entitled Itinerary for 2013 Diamond Tour.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Mr. Ramsay.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour and privilege to recognize a colleague from Nunavut, Deputy Premier, the Honourable Peter Taptuna. He’s also the Minister of Economic Development, Transportation, Tourism, Housing, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation, the Nunavut Development Corporation, and also the Minister of Energy. Welcome to Minister Taptuna.

With Minister Taptuna is his executive assistant, Pat Angnakak. Welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Lafferty.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Oh, I thought you said Abernethy.

---Laughter

Close enough. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize Gayla Meredith, who is here with us today, the president of the NWTTA. She is here to witness our Canada’s Outstanding Principals statement today.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Now you can rise, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize 22 international students visiting Yellowknife as part of the Rotary Club’s Tip Toe with the Caribou program. The Rotary Club hosts exchange students from around the world for one year within Rotary District 5370, which encompasses parts of Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The students with us today drove from Edmonton, stopping in Hay River and Behchoko before arriving here for a four-day visit. They will be touring Yellowknife and experiencing all that the city has to offer, and while they’re here they’re going to be billeted with local Rotarians.

I apologize if I mispronounce any of these names. With us today is Jakub Taptik from Slovakia, Niek Looze from the Netherlands, Teresa Viktova from the Czech Republic, Wei Huang from Taiwan, Joel Zeller from Switzerland, Carl Waskiewicz from Sweden, Moritz Goerner from Germany, Alan Monterro from Bolivia, Marcos Herrera from Brazil, Christian Demmelbauer from Austria, Jose Andres Mera Villacis from Ecuador, Alise Rolland from Norway, Ada Niemanen from Finland, Pernille Lange from Denmark, Rue Brasil Neto from Brazil, Mustafa Can Bildirici from Turkey, Lily Phornwisetsirikun from Thailand, Thayna Tomiyoshi from Brazil, Sixtine Biais from France, Nora Kurzwelly from Poland, Jane Surattanawanich from Thailand, Roberta Sa Rivera from Brazil. Welcome and thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize two constituents from Mackenzie Delta, Mr. James Ross and Mr. Charlie Furlong. Also the president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Mr. Albert Alexie Jr.; and Fred Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Mr. Bouchard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d also like to recognize two long-time curling friends, Fred Koe and James Ross.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take the opportunity to welcome the president of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Mr. Robert Alexie Jr., as well as the chief operating officer, Mr. Fred Koe. Welcome, enjoy the proceedings. I’d also like to make a special welcome to Gayla Meredith, the president of the NWTTA. It is Education Week and I hope the campaign and everything is going great this week.

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce, to and through you again, the International Rotary students here. Welcome to the House. We have two guests from Calgary who are on their first time here to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. We have Laura McLeod and John Humphrey from Calgary who are friends with Minnie, who works in our cafeteria. She’s got a great, beautiful last name in German I cannot pronounce. Welcome to the House.

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

Item 7, acknowledgements. Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In recognition of Education Week, I’d like to rise and acknowledge and congratulate my constituents Augustine Minoza, who received his Journeyman Red Seal for completing four years of carpentry with the Housing Corporation in Fort Providence. Also Delmar Bonnetrouge and Rod Bonnetrouge, who both received their Red Seal Journeyman tickets as electricians. They both live and work in Fort Providence.