Good afternoon, colleagues. I am sorry to announce the passing of Tom Butters.
Tom Butters, a long-time Northerner, was first elected to the NWT Legislature in 1970. From 1970 to 1975 he served as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Western Arctic and in 1975 as MLA for Inuvik until his retirement in 1991. In 1994 Tom was made a member of the Order of Canada. Tom is the longest serving Member of the Legislative Assembly. Although Tom lived in British Columbia in his final years, he is fondly remembered by many people in the Mackenzie Delta where he and his wife, Peg, raised their family.
Tom was predeceased by his wife, Margaret “Peg” Butters, and his son Alan Butters. He leaves to mourn children Christine Cross, John; Ian Butters, Vina; and Meg Innes, Alan; and five grandchildren.
Thank you, colleagues. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. Honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.