Good afternoon, colleagues. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and all the residents of the Northwest Territories a happy and healthy New Year.
We are entering what could be deemed the final stretches of the 17th Legislative Assembly and I
know that both Regular Members and Cabinet have much left to do. It will be a busy time and will demand the very best of all of us.
We get to enjoy the presence of approximately 40 students from 10 Northwest Territories communities who will be participating in our Page Program.
It is my great pleasure to welcome the Pages who will be assisting us over the course of this sitting. The students will be from the following communities: Fort McPherson, Hay River, Wrigley, Fort Resolution, Inuvik, Deline, Whati, Paulatuk, Fort Smith and Yellowknife. To the students, I hope your experiences in the Legislative Assembly will be informative, that you will make some lasting friendships and obtain a better understanding of how our government works.
To the parents, the teachers and the staff who make this program possible, I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say thank you for your efforts.
On a much sadder note, I know that many of our communities have suffered devastating losses over the last few months. Please join me in extending the condolences of the House to those families and communities who are mourning the loss of loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Before we begin, let me once again remind you of your responsibility as Members of this Assembly to adhere to the rules you have adopted. You have agreed to carry out your work with integrity and honour, with respect for the dignity of the institution we serve and the constituents who depend on us. My responsibility is to continue to assist you in your work and I pledge to do that.
It is now my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads:
“Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, the passage of •
Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2015-2016
•
Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2014-2015
•
Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2014-2015 and
•
Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2015-2016
during the Fifth Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly.
Yours truly, George L. Tuccaro, Commissioner.”
Thank you, colleagues. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.