Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2014-2015 estimates for the Legislative Assembly. I would like to thank the Members of the Board of Management for their assistance and input into this budget. The Assembly is seeking an operations expenditure appropriation of $18.989 million. This represents an increase of $750,000 from the 2013-2014 estimates.

As you know, this past November the Assembly celebrated the 20th anniversary of this building. We

made the final mortgage payment and assumed full ownership of this magnificent building.

Due to the careful management of the Legislative Assembly Building Society, we received over $400,000 in surplus funding that has been committed to a number of celebration and

enhancement projects we have started this year and plan to complete in the upcoming fiscal year.

The ongoing projects include a new exterior building sign, the rejuvenation of our Water’s Edge Park and the establishment of an ongoing scholarship fund for NWT students.

We are also working with our neighbours on some improvements to the capital site. In consultation with the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre, we are overseeing a project to put signs in place that will serve as a landmark and guide visitors and tourists to our building and to these other important NWT public institutions.

As well, we are undertaking some improvements to the Legislative Assembly building. This includes the replacement of an aging telephone system to make sure people can get hold of Members and staff when they need to.

This will also be the first full year that our House proceedings will be broadcast on direct-to-home satellite television across the Northwest Territories and Canada. We will be working to develop a program that will be informative and educational about the work of our Legislative Assembly.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the NWT’s

Human Rights Act coming into force. This budget includes funding for the Human Rights Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of this act to make sure it continues to serve and protect the rights of NWT residents.

In addition, the director’s office will be renovated to provide a safe and effective environment, and a part-time position will be added to their staff complement to address an increased workload.

At the same time, recognizing that the Human Rights Adjudication Panel has moved to a new administrative model and that their caseloads have increased, we have adjusted their budget accordingly.

There are also budget considerations for the elections office as they begin the important work of preparing for the next general election.

The Office of the Clerk is undertaking succession planning actions to ensure they are prepared to meet the needs of the Assembly, specifically its Members and committees. Responsibilities within the Office of the Clerk have been realigned, and a new position has been established to support the Board of Management and to coordinate the office’s administrative activities in support of session and standing committees. This budget also includes funding to establish a one-year committee clerk trainee position beginning this fall.

Once again, colleagues, we are looking forward to a busy and productive year. Our efforts will be focused on continuing to deliver quality services to

Members, reaching the people of the NWT to make sure they are well informed about the good work of the Legislative Assembly and to sustaining a responsive, representative and flexible workforce.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This concludes my opening remarks. I am pleased to respond to any questions Members may have.