Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. It is once again a pleasure and an honour for me to be in this House. I am pleased to welcome you to the First Session of the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
I begin by offering my congratulations to the returning Members, one of whom was acclaimed, and to the newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly. We take this time to also thank those Members who have served this House in past sittings.
I would like to welcome all guests in the public gallery and those who are watching these proceedings on television.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Lafferty on his acclamation as Speaker-elect. Members of this Assembly will be well served by the good judgment and experience you bring to this vital position.
My congratulations, also, to Mr. Bob McLeod on his return to the Executive Council as our Premier-elect.
To those of you who were successful in the election for positions on the Executive Council, congratulations to you as well.
Members of this House will face many challenges during the next four years. My good wishes are extended to all Members and I am confident that each of you will serve your constituents and people of the Northwest Territories to the very best of your abilities.
I would like to acknowledge and thank those spouses and family members for the love and support that you provide to these Members that is so important in the work that they do for the people of the Northwest Territories.
I will offer you this, as I recall the very good work of the late Jack Layton, who was leader of the federal NDP: “Inspire to serve, and serve to inspire.”
We are looking forward to joining the rest of Canada in the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
Mr. Speaker, before declaring open this First Session of the 18th Legislative Assembly, I would like to invite all Members and visitors in the public gallery to a reception in the Great Hall when the House adjourns. I invite everyone to stay for the swearing in of the Executive Council at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.
As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I now declare open the First Session of the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, merci beaucoup, mahsi cho, quanani, koana.