Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Honourable Jackson Lafferty of the electoral district of Monfwi does take the chair of this House as Speaker.

Mahsi, Members. Good afternoon. Also good afternoon to the public. Thanks for being here with us.

[Translation] First I would like to say that I am very happy to see everyone here in the House again. We are now going to sit as the Government of the Northwest Territories and it’s going to be difficult work, but we are all going to be here to support one another and I’m happy to see everyone here. I would like to say thank you to the drummers for their drumming and their prayers and also for the bishop who has said a prayer for us. [Translation ends]

Please accept my sincere appreciation for the trust you have put in me by allowing me to serve as your Speaker. I fully understand the duties I’m assuming, presiding over the proceedings in this House, assuming the administrative duties associated with the Assembly, and representing this Assembly in traditional, ceremonial and diplomatic circles.

I wish to assure each and every one of you in this Chamber that I will fulfill all the duties of the Speaker to the best of my ability. I consider myself a servant of this House and of all Members, and I commit to upholding and protecting the dignity of this institution in both my actions and my decisions.

My first obligation is to preside over this House in a manner which ensures that the rights and privileges of all Members will be upheld and to maintain the order and level of decorum that will allow each of you to carry out your duties to the best of your abilities.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank former Speaker, Mr. Jackie Jacobson, for his counsel and guidance during the 17th Legislative Assembly. Those who know me are aware of my unwavering commitment to the use and preservation of the Aboriginal languages. You will hear me use my Tlicho language more often, both in this House and beyond its doors. I encourage other Members to join me in promoting and using our Aboriginal languages whenever possible in this Assembly. This is a priority of our Assembly and we need to lead from the front.

I, too, have heard the discussions regarding our unique form of consensus government and the need to help public to better…

[Translation] Today the language is very important, and especially here in this Assembly, I would like to see all the Members who speak a language, speak their language. Those who do not speak a language, try to learn the language. To us, the language is very important because that is how we identify ourselves, and we know who we are when we speak our language. So I would appreciate you to try to use your language as much as you can. [Translation ends]

First, our discussions regarding our unique form of consensus government and the need to help the public better understand how we make decisions in this House, this Legislative Assembly, I commit to being part of that education process. We will be looking at ways of bringing information about the government to all residents of the Northwest Territories; indeed, to all Canadians and internationally.

I must take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to my constituents in the Monfwi riding. [Translation] I would like to say thank you to all those in the Monfwi riding, even though I didn’t go through the election. I am very happy to be back here and I am now sitting as the Speaker. I am a Speaker now and when you look at it, a Speaker’s job is very big. We have to listen to all the people in the North. That is why we are here. As the Speaker, when I look at it, we are here to represent the northern people, and that is one of the reasons I put my name forward to be a Speaker. We want to make sure that in the future, always work together, listen together and we can resolve a lot of issues, as difficult as it may be. We are here representing people. We have to listen to the people who have voted us here. [Translation ends]

My congratulations to the Premier and the Executive Council elected by the Members of this Assembly. I wish you well as you undertake your new responsibilities.

I would also like to take this opportunity publicly to thank my family. Politics is not an easy life for a family. Politics is not an easy life for families and the sacrifices each of our families make on a daily basis. As Members, we could not do the job without the love and support of our families.

[Translation] I would like to say to all our families, our wives, our families, our children, we have to thank them. We can’t be in this position without their support. All of us, as Members of the Legislative Assembly and Ministers, we have to remember our family, thank them and also the public in general who have voted us here to this House. We have to support one another and care for one another as we sit in this House. At this time I would like to say thank you to my wife, my family and my friends. Some are not here in the House; they are travelling or in school. My family, some of them aren’t here, but I know they remember me. Last year I lost my mother but I feel like she is here, she’s present with me. I would just like to say thank you to her too. [Translation ends]

Colleagues, we are beginning our journey here today with many challenges facing us in this great territory of ours. In the various roles that each of us will play, as we debate public policy, raise issues of concern for our constituents, lead departments, provide opportunity for public input and hold the government to account, I ask for your assistance. I ask that you always:

treat each other with dignity, respect and compassion;

protect the integrity of this institution with your individual actions; and

conduct yourselves within the rules set by the House.

Please be assured that I will work hard to maintain the trust and confidence you have placed in me today.

Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George L. Tuccaro, is prepared to enter the Chamber and address the Legislative Assembly?

I would ask you to rise for the entrance of the Commissioner and to remain standing for our National Anthem, which will be performed by Members of the Yellowknife Choral Society.

---Singing of O Canada

Orders of the day. Item 3, Members’ statements. Mr. Simpson, Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to use this opportunity to thank, first and foremost, the people of Hay River. In Hay River, we know about the state of the economy, we know about the growing social ails of our territory, and in the face of these issues, I am honoured and grateful that they put their faith in me to represent them here in this House.

It’s a great responsibility and one I don’t take lightly. I only made two promises during the campaign. The first was to work hard and the second was to bring a loud voice to the Legislature for the people of Hay River. I have been doing that since November 23rd and I promise to continue doing that for the remainder of the 18th Assembly.

I would also like to thank everyone who supported me during the campaign, all the volunteers, my family, my parents, my aunt, my cousin and especially my lovely partner, Sarah, who put as many hours in as I did.

I would also like to recognize the Members of the 18th Assembly. As I’ve gotten to know everyone over the past few weeks, I’ve become even more optimistic about the future of this territory. Every single Member is capable, has a valuable set of skills and brings a unique perspective. The staff of the Legislative Assembly also deserves to be commended. They do an amazing job here. You know what? I’ll keep it short. That’s everything. But once again, thank you all and let’s get to work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Simpson. Next on my list I have Mr. O’Reilly.

[English translation not provided.]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s important for me that my first words in this session of the House were in French. French is one of the official languages of the Northwest Territories. My maternal grandfather spoke French, but the language was lost within one generation. I will try to speak French in this House from time to time.

This is a Member’s statement to offer some thanks. I want to recognize that we are meeting on Yellowknives Dene First Nation territory. I wish to thank everyone who got out and voted in the Frame Lake electoral district, even if it wasn’t for me. Although the voter turnout was reported at 27 percent, the voters list was clearly out of date with 20 to 30 percent of those on the list not resident at the addresses specified, including an entire apartment building on Forrest Drive.

Our son, who is studying at the University of Victoria, applied for an absentee ballot and it never arrived in the mail. We can and should do much better with our voters lists and find more ways for voters to exercise their rights.

Thanks to the other candidates, Jan Fullerton, David Wasylciw and Roy Erasmus, for their hard work in raising of the bar in what was a very civil election campaign, where candidates and their teams helped each other with signs.

Thanks to the people who volunteered on my campaign and to my family for all of their support, and especially to my wife without whom I couldn’t have done this.

We begin an important journey together today. It has been a real pleasure getting to know all of the MLAs over the last three weeks during a very intensive orientation, priority-setting period.

I have a strong sense that everyone has come prepared to work hard and to collaborate. I will do my very best to serve the people of Frame Lake and the entire Northwest Territories. I look forward to working with all of the other MLAs.

Lastly, I would like to again congratulate our new Speaker, our Premier and our Cabinet and all those who put their names forward to serve. Mahsi, merci and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Member O’Reilly. Next on my list I have Mr. Beaulieu.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to George Marlowe, an elder who passed away this morning.

Over the past eight years, I got to know George and had a lot of respect for him. George was an amazing guy. Over 70 years old, he was on the caribou range at Artillery Lake. It was like having a young man with all the strength and abilities that were unbelievable. I wasn’t prepared today to do a full eulogy for George, but I wanted to let people in the area and in Wiilideh and Tu Nedhe know of his passing.

Many people respected George and I got asked how George was doing every day. George died of cancer. He lived for a long time. He was given two months to live in the spring; in March, actually. He stayed home and Celine took care of him, and his girls.

George will be sorely missed by his community. He attended meetings. He always spoke for his people. People could never come into the community where George would not come to the community hall and speak clearly and proudly for the people that he represents.

Mahsi, Mr. Beaulieu. [Translation] Member for Yellowknife Centre, Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like, today, to give my thanks for all the people who helped to put me in the position that I am starting with my family and especially my partner, Janice McKenna, my daughter, Tiffany Thrasher, my parents and friends who encouraged me to run for public office. I’d like to thank my campaign team for the many hours that they put in to getting me elected, for the constituents who put their trust in me to represent them in this 18th Assembly. To my new friends and colleagues in the Legislative Assembly, it’s been a pleasure to get to know you and I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you over the next four years.

My pledge is, today, as I said yesterday, to work hard, to work cooperatively, to be focused on results and consensus. I’m up for the challenge, and I think we all are. Thank you.

Mahsi, Ms. Green. The Member for Sahtu, Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to welcome everybody in the gallery and the people who are listening, and thank the rest of my colleagues here for the last couple weeks and all the efforts that we have done, the transition document, reviews and so on. In particular, I thank the people of the Sahtu region who have placed their faith in me to represent them in this House. To the campaign team that helped me visit the communities and did all the legwork, as well, a big thank you to those people. Also, what happened over the last few days in electing our House leader, the Executive Council. I look forward to working with the Members, the Premier-elect and yourself, as the Speaker.

I wish everybody a safe and happy holiday and time with their families. I’m looking forward to representing and bringing the issues forward from the Sahtu region in the New Year.

Mahsi, Mr. McNeely. [Translation] The next speaker who will be speaking will be Mackenzie Delta, Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my constituents of the Mackenzie Delta for their support over the next four years. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate yourself on your position as Speaker, and also to our Premier and new Cabinet.

I would also like to wish everyone through the Northwest Territories, especially in my riding, a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you all have times with your families. Christmas can be a very difficult time, especially for those who have lost loved ones. In our communities we always pull together and offer our support. I just wish everybody all the best in the New Year.

Mahsi, Mr. Blake. [Translation] The next speaker for Member’s statements is Mr. Testart.

Once again I’d like to thank all the people of Kam Lake who have given me the opportunity to represent them in this House. I’d also like to thank all of you for being here and putting up a very strong team that is going to lead this territory for the next four years. I would like to congratulate yourself, the Premier and our Executive Council members. One thing I forgot to do on election night is thank my family and supporters and volunteers, so I will take the opportunity to do that today.

I worked with some very enthusiastic young people, long-time friends, who believed in me and believed in the message that allowed us to be successful on election night. They worked with me for a very long time, some for longer than a year, and that meant a lot to me and I’d like to thank them very publicly, from the bottom of my heart, for all the hard work they did.

I’d also like to thank my partner, Colleen. She’s put up with me for a very long time and also during an election and several elections. I couldn’t do it without her.

Most of all I’d like to thank my son, Corbin. He’s six years old. I’m a single parent, so it’s sometimes difficult for him to understand why I’m so busy, but he puts up with me as well. I do it for him and I do it for a future for him, as well, and I’m looking forward to working on that future and getting real results for the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Testart. [The next person who has a Member’s statement would be Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the residents of Nahendeh, I’m deeply honoured and humbled to be here representing you for the next four years. It took a lot of work and I would like to thank my team. They were amazing people in all six communities. We worked hard and did a great job getting people out to vote.

I’d also like to thank my family who are going to sacrifice the next four years of their life for me to be here. They did a great job and were very supportive during the time.

I’d also like to thank my competitors, Rosemary, Deneze, Randy, Arnold, Kevin and Dennis. You realize I called them by their first name, because that’s what it was. It was a first name basis and it was a respectful campaign. I thank them for all their hard work and I thank their teams. They did an amazing job.

To the Premier and the newly elected Cabinet, I look forward to working with you and I thank you very much.

Mahsi, Mr. Thompson. [Translation] The next speaker for Member’s statements would be Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to thank all the folks in the gallery today for coming. You’re setting the expectations high. The galleries have been rather full the last few days, and as Members, we expect to see your attendance up there over the next four years.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Clerk’s office and all the staff at the Assembly for treating us so well and making the transition into territorial public life much easier than originally anticipated, so thank you so much.

To the constituents of Yellowknife North, most certainly I thank you for your support and putting your faith in me as your elected representative. I truly look forward to serving you and protecting your interests over the next four years.

I, too, need to thank friends and family and all of those volunteers who supported me during the election period. For all your hard work, I am grateful. I, too, have to acknowledge today the spirit of my mother, who I lost in 2003. I know she has been with me for the last number of years, of course, but she’s been especially with me over the last handful of months and given me the strength and courage to run and be here today. I wanted to take the time to acknowledge that.

Of course, I look forward to working with all of you and the respective Members of this House in making this great territory even greater. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Vanthuyne. [Translation] Member for Thebacha, Mr. Sebert.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate you again on your election as Speaker. As I mentioned yesterday, I believe that your election sends a strong message of our commitment to Aboriginal culture and languages, and I do hope you will use your language in this Assembly. I think all of us should do that, and I urge all Members to learn and use the many languages of the Northwest Territories.

I wish to congratulate, also, our Premier-elect, Mr. Bob McLeod. I am looking forward to working with him and all of you in this 18th Assembly.

We set out a very ambitious set of priorities, but I believe that working together through consensus government we can achieve those lofty goals.

Finally, I would like to thank the members of Thebacha. I see members who have travelled all the way from Fort Smith today and I am pleased to see them in the audience in the gallery.

I would like to thank my wife, Anne, and my grandson, Mason Heron, who put up with me during the election and have had to put up with my absence the last few weeks. So, thank you to all.

Mahsi, Mr. Sebert. [Translation] The next Member’s statement, Mr. Abernethy from Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today on the first official sitting day of the 18th Legislative Assembly, I wanted to take the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the residents of the Great Slave riding for their support on November 23rd. It’s truly an honour and a privilege to sit here and represent them for my third term in this House and I look forward to working with them and for them over the next four years.

Elections can be quite complicated, quite difficult, and you can’t be successful in an election without an incredible team. I would certainly like to take this opportunity to thank the team who helped me out during the election this year. My friend Sham is from the Great Slave riding, who went door to door with me; my parents, Dick and Loretta Abernethy, who were at the office pretty much every day and my dad went around and checked the signs every morning; my sister, Susan, who went door to door with me on many nights; John Argue, who went door to door with me on many nights; Louise Boettger, who sat in the office in the evenings; Karen Willy, Jackie McKinnon, there were so many I can’t name them all, but mostly I want to thank my wife, who actually went to almost all of the doors with me over the 28-day period and had an opportunity to listen to the residents and she keeps reminding me of what I heard on a regular basis. Thank you all.

I have had an opportunity over the last couple of weeks to sit and talk with all the new Members and we do have an ambitious priorities list, as Mr. Sebert said, but I know, looking around this room, we have a great group of people who are committed to the people of the Northwest Territories and I am incredibly excited by the opportunities that we have in front of us and I am really looking forward to getting down to work for all the residents of the Northwest Territories. It’s going to be a lot of fun; it’s going to be hard; there’s going to be arguments; there’s going to be fights; but we will find a way to move forward. So, thank you all and I look forward to working with you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Abernethy. [Translation] Deh Cho Member, Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate you, congratulate the Premier and Cabinet as well. I would also like to thank the drummers, the church leaders and also the Commissioner. Most of all I would like to thank the constituents of the Deh Cho, the people of the Deh Cho riding, especially my children, my family, my relatives and friends.

Most importantly, elders who were there for me who still continue to live in the community, plus the past elders. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

[English translation not provided.]

We must work towards making transformative changes and recognize a special moment in the upcoming history of the 100th anniversary of Treaty 11 within the time of this 18th Assembly. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Member Nadli. It’s always great to hear another language in the House. Please continue using that official language. [Translation] Range Lake, Ms. Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to start by thanking the constituents of Range Lake for voting me in as MLA. I am going to continue to do my best to represent you as best I can. I also want to thank all Members of the Legislative Assembly for voting me in for Cabinet. That’s huge and I will not forget that my role is to represent the whole NWT.

I also want to take a second to acknowledge that I was told that I am the actual second female to be elected into Cabinet from Yellowknife, and ironically, we’re both from Range Lake, the two who were elected, so that’s a nice thought.

I really want to take a moment to thank my family, way too many to identify. I know if I started, I would forget someone, my incredible friends and the most wonderful campaign team I could have asked for, who were there through thick and thin, day and night, and still to this day have been supporting me, so thank you hugely for them.

The biggest thing I want to say today is I heard before I came in here, I was talking to a gentleman, and he said that the word on the street is that I am the voice for people that have not had a voice within the government for many years. I’m really honoured and I’m humbled to have been titled that, and I promise I will carry those words with me for the whole four years that I am here. Thank you very much.

Mahsi, Ms. Cochrane. [Translation] The next speaker, Mr. Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to thank the constituents of Hay River South for voting me into the House. I would like to thank all my family and friends, my constituents, and especially the team that helped support me to get me here. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention today, I would like to thank Jane Groenewegen and Wendy Morgan for their 20 years that they’ve supported Hay River.

Last, but not least, I would like to thank my beautiful wife and my son for all the support they’ve given me to get here and for the sacrifices they will continue to put up with for me to be here for the next four years.

I want to thank you for electing Mr. Jackson Lafferty, our Speaker, Premier Bob McLeod and the Cabinet and all the Members here today. We have huge challenges ahead of us, but I know there’s great optimism in this room. I look forward to working with every one of you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Schumann. [Translation] Member for Nunakput, Mr. Nakimayak.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, congratulations on your appointment as Speaker of the House, also to Premier Bob McLeod and all the Cabinet Ministers who made amazing speeches yesterday. It was pretty inspiring, so I want to carry on moving forward.

Thank you to my family for putting up with me. Also, the other campaigners who were running for the election, I had a lot of airport dates with them. It was a good start to working and conditioning ourselves for what we’re going to go through in the next four years. I’d like to thank former Speaker, Mr. Jackie Jacobson, Ethel-Jean Gruben, John Stuart Jr. and Robert Kuptana, who ran good campaigns.

Also, moving forward, I just want to thank my fellow Members here and my children at home. I don’t think they’re watching. They’re in school.

As well, a campaign like this was really tough and it showed that people from small communities can make a difference when you put your work together, and I hope moving forward that that’s a message. As Mr. Beaulieu had mentioned, the smaller communities need a voice, and I look forward to serving as your MLA for the next four years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Nakimayak. [Translation] Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to start off by congratulating you on your position. I look forward to you keeping this House in order for the next four years and working alongside you.

I also just want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the new Members on your elections. I know I was watching you during your campaign; you all did a great job. Over the last couple weeks I’ve seen the enthusiasm, I’ve seen the work ethic and I’ve seen the optimism, and I think moving forward we’re going to work great together as 19 Members.

I’m very honoured and humbled to be serving my second term in this great building for the people of the Northwest Territories. But before I start thanking all my supporters and thanking my family, there’s a special group I would like to thank, and that’s the Members of the 17th Legislative Assembly as well as the staff. Through their mentorship, their leadership, their hard work and dedication for the people of the Northwest Territories and to this building, as well as creating very strong, lifelong friendships, they’ve made me the Member that I am here today. I will continue to work on their behalf to push a lot of work that we did in the 17th forward, alongside 18 other Members here, to do the best for the people of the Northwest Territories.

I believe that people deserve a strong voice, and I always say that I bring that strong voice into this House. But what’s better than one strong voice? Nineteen strong voices. That’s what we have with the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Now I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all the supporters who helped me get re-elected into the 18th Assembly. I will not let you down. I will work harder during this government than I did in the 17th Legislative Assembly.

I want to thank two of my biggest supporters, my parents, Martha and Winston Moses. I think it was a really great moment when my dad and I were putting up signs throughout Inuvik just before the elections went on. Aside from my biggest supporters of my parents, I also want to thank my smallest supporter, Ms. Kali Wood, who wore my button and she was actually on some of my buttons as we were going through the campaign and I was sure her support helped put me over the top.

I want to thank everybody who has prayed for me over the 17th Assembly and will continue to pray for me to do the best I can in this House for the people of the Northwest Territories.

With that said, I want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas. Have a safe, enjoyable and happy holiday season with your family, with your friends; and after today and after the business gets settled, that all the Members from out of town have a safe trip home and enjoy it with your family and friends. It’s going to be very seldom for the next four years. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Moses. [Translation] Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your appointment. I notice that we’re the hold-overs from the 15th, so you and I have to be wise now.

I want to thank the residents of Inuvik Twin Lakes, the constituents who came out to vote. There was a lot of them who came out to vote and support me for the last four terms I’ve been here. Their vote is much appreciated. I have always thought I was reflective of the community and I tried to bring that into this Chamber.

I want to thank the hardworking supporters we had. A lot of us couldn’t get into the position that we’re in today without a good support team and good people who believe in you. They go to the wall for you. I would start naming them all, but then I’d forget someone and they may not support me next time, so I’m not going to go there.

Lastly and most importantly, and as Members have said before me, without the support of your family, we aren’t able to do this. It’s extremely difficult. We come in here and they hear a lot of talk out there. We’ve developed fairly thick skin and they still take a lot of things personally, but we believe in what we’re doing, so they believe in what we’re doing. They continue to support us.

When I started here I had my three children, my future son-in-law, my wife, Judy, and there are 12 of us now. I have five grandchildren and the family just keeps growing. I’m doing my part to grow the Northwest Territories. So I want to thank the family for their unconditional support. It’s much appreciated.

Of course, I want to thank Judy. She’s been a huge supporter of mine for the last 36 years in everything I’ve done. I appreciate that support and I appreciate the support of my colleagues yesterday as we went through the process. I hope I represent you well. I hope I represent the Northwest Territories well, and I appreciate your confidence in me. I will not let you down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Item 4, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

First I would like to recognize some of the officials here today. I would like to recognize former Commissioner, Speaker, Minister, Member, Sergeant-at-Arms, Honourary Clerk, Honourary Navel Captain, Mr. Anthony W.J. Whitford.

I would also like to recognize in the gallery, former Premier Mr. Jim Antoine.

Former Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bill Braden.

Former Member and Minister, Mr. Dave Ramsay.

Former Minister and Member, Henry Zoe.

We have Grand Chief Bill Erasmus, Dene Nation.

I would like to also recognize Chief Frieda Martselos, Salt River First Nation.

Also with us, Chief Roy Fabien, K’atlodeeche First Nation.

With us as well, Mayor Mark Heyck, Yellowknife.

And all those from the public for being here with us. Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bob McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am so eager to recognize some constituents from Yellowknife South. First I’d like to recognize Gayla Thunstrom, first vice-president, Union of Northern Workers; Alisa Praamsma, executive director of Native Women’s Association; Jugjit Curran; Peter Vician; David Stewart; Jeff Anderson; Susan Abernethy; Dillon Short. Welcome to the gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to take an opportunity to recognize some of my family that I have in the gallery today. My parents, Dick and Loretta Abernethy; my sister, Susan Abernethy; my wife, Carolyn Abernethy…Carolyn Smith, sorry. Weird.

---Interjection

I don’t know.

---Laughter

She should think about it. Anyhow, with me today, my uncle and aunt, Rob and Marg Abernethy, who have actually joined us from Calgary today. It’s the first time they’ve been in the Assembly during sitting. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Abernethy. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. McLeod.

I would like to welcome my wife, Judy, to the gallery. Always a pleasure to have her here with us.

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, Mr. Beaulieu.

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. I would like to recognize members from Wiilideh who are in the House today, in the gallery. National Chief Bill Erasmus and we had the drummers from the YK Dene. Also from Wiilideh, Randy Baillargeon, Chief Eddie Landry, David Drygeese, Bobby Drygeese and also drumming with them was chief of K’atlodeeche, Roy Fabien. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Beaulieu. Member for Thebacha, Mr. Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They have already recognized Frieda Martselos. I would also like to recognize Curtis and Ken Laviolette.

Mahsi, Mr. Sebert. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, first of all, recognize Mr. David Parsons, who is a former Inuvik resident joining us today in the gallery. I am glad to see you joining us today in the gallery. Of course, my Inuvik Boot Lake constituent, Ms. Judy McLeod, and also I would like to welcome all the leaders who are joining us today, past, present and future, and all members of the public. Thanks for joining us today.

Mahsi, Mr. Moses. Member for Hay River South, Mr. Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Chief Frieda Martselos, Chief Roy Fabien, Ken Laviolette and my sister, Wonneatta Brown. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Schumann. Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize visitors in the gallery. Chief Roy Fabien from the K’atlodeeche First Nation, also, of course, former Premier Jim Antoine from Liidlii Kue First Nation. Also, I understand Chief Bill Erasmus from the Dene Nation is also here and perhaps – I’m not seeing him – Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, if he’s around.

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all I would like to recognize my new constituency assistant, who isn’t new, she has been here for 17 years, Pearl Norwegian. I have three constituents here: Colin Munroe, Leah Keats and I would be remiss not to recognize Jim Antoine and, if Herb is in here, Herb Norwegian as well. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Thompson. Member for Range Lake, Ms. Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not going to use last names because I will pronounce some of them wrong, but I really want to recognize some people who are in my riding and some agencies that aren’t. I will recognize Denise from the Council for Disabled Persons; Amanda, NWT Teachers’ Association; David from Montessori Association; and Anusa, who is with the Yellowknife Women’s Society; and if I forget anyone over here, it’s because I can’t see behind me. Thank you.

Mahsi, Ms. Cochrane. Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Elaine Keenan Bengts, the Commissioner of Access to Information and Protection of Privacy and a Yellowknife North resident. I also want to acknowledge Mr. Dave Grundy, Yellowknife North resident and from WSCC. I think it would also be appropriate to recognize Mr. Craig Yeo, who is a Yellowknife North resident from UNW. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Testart.

I have a couple of constituents I would like to recognize from the RCMP. Mike Babineau and Mike Lesage; the original ice road trucker, Alex Debogorski, and his lovely wife, Louise; Suzanne Defossier and Manuel and Marta Jorge. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Testart. Member for Yellowknife Centre, Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize several residents of Yellowknife Centre, including Henry Zoe, Mayor Mark Heyck and the chief electoral officer, Nicole Latour. I would also like to recognize Andrew Wandering Spirit, the chief of Smith’s Landing First Nations.

Mahsi, Ms. Green. Item 5, acknowledgements. Item 6, tabling of documents. Ms. Green.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the Priorities of the 18th Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.

Mahsi, Ms. Green. Pursuant to section 14 of the Indemnities, Allowances and Expense regulations of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I hereby table the statutory declarations of residences of the following Members of the Legislative Assembly: Mr. Michael Nadli, Member for Deh Cho, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, Member for Frame Lake, declaration date of December 14, 2015; Mr. Glen Abernethy, Member for Great Slave, declaration dated December 15, 2015; Mr. R.J. Simpson, Member for Hay River North, declaration dated December 13, 2015. Mr. Wally Schumann, Member for Hay River South, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Alfred Moses, Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Robert C. McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Kieron Testart, Member for Kam Lake, declaration dated December 16, 2015; Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., Member for Mackenzie Delta, declaration dated December 16, 2015; Mr. Jackson Lafferty, Member for Monfwi, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Shane Thompson, Member for Nahendeh, declaration dated December 16, 2015; Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, Member for Nunakput, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Ms. Caroline Cochrane, Member for Range Lake, declaration dated December 16, 2015; Mr. Daniel McNeely, Member for Sahtu, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Louis Sebert, Member for Thebacha, declaration dated December 15, 2015; Mr. Tom Beaulieu, Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, declaration dated December 17, 2015; Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, Member for Yellowknife North, declaration dated December 15, 2015; Ms. Julie Green, Member for Yellowknife Centre, declaration dated December 14, 2015; Mr. Robert R. McLeod, Member for Yellowknife South, declaration dated December 14, 2015.

Item 7, notices of motion. Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, December 21, 2015, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the Member for Yellowknife South, the Honourable Robert R. McLeod, is hereby chosen to be Premier of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion later today.

Mahsi, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Testart.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, December 21, 2015, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management of this Assembly:

the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Member for Monfwi;

Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, Member for Yellowknife North;

the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; and

the Honourable Wally Schumann, Member for Hay River South.

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management as alternate members:

Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Shane Thompson, Member for Nahendeh;

the Honourable Glen Abernethy, Member for Great Slave; and

the Honourable Louis Sebert, Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Testart. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, December 21, 2015, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Mr. Robert R. McLeod, the Member for Yellowknife South;

Mr. Alfred Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake;

Mr. Wally Schumann, the Member for Hay River South; and

Mr. Louis Sebert, the Member for Thebacha.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, December 21, 2015, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning:

Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh;

Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Ms. Julie Green, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;

Mr. Daniel M. McNeely, the Member for Sahtu;

Mr. Michael Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh; and

Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, the Member for Yellowknife North.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. Simpson, Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, December 21, 2015, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this 18th Legislative Assembly formally adopts the Members’ Conduct Guidelines as appended and which forms part of this resolution;

And further, that each Member of the Legislative Assembly shall sign a copy of the Members’ Conduct Guidelines before the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, who shall make all signed copies available to the public through the Legislative Library and by posting signed copies on the Assembly website;

And furthermore, that this Assembly refer the Members’ Conduct Guidelines to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for a comprehensive and public review, including a thorough examination of conduct guidelines from other jurisdictions, both parliamentary and non-parliamentary organizations, all relevant legislation, and the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and that the standing committee report back to this Assembly during the fall sitting of 2016.

At the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Mahsi, Mr. Simpson. Mr. Bob McLeod, Yellowknife South.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, December 21, 2015, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that this Legislative Assembly conduct a public mid-term accountability review of the adopted mandate of the 18th Legislative Assembly, including the performance of the Executive Council and standing committees, to take place in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly prior to the fall 2017 sitting;

And further, that this Assembly refer this matter to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures to recommend a process, including the terms of reference, for such a review and that the standing committee report back to the House with its recommendations during the fall 2016 sitting.

Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today.

Mahsi, Mr. McLeod. Item 8, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 9, motions. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the appointment of the Premier motion I gave notice of today. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

WHEREAS subsection 61.(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that there shall be an Executive Council of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the Executive Council shall be comprised of a Premier chosen by this Legislative Assembly and persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of this Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the Member for Yellowknife South, the Honourable Robert R. McLeod, is hereby chosen to be Premier of the Northwest Territories.

Mahsi, Mr. Abernethy. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Unanimous consent granted

WHEREAS Section 61.(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that there shall be an Executive Council of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Members of the Executive Council are appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

Mr. Glen Abernethy, the Member for Great Slave;

Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake;

Mr. Robert C. McLeod, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Mr. Robert R. McLeod, the Member for Yellowknife South;

Mr. Alfred Moses, the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake;

Mr. Wally Schumann, the Member for Hay River South; and

Mr. Louis Sebert, the Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Beaulieu. Mr. Abernethy.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the appointment of the Priorities and Planning committee motion I gave notice of earlier today.

There was a motion on the floor. I am getting ahead of myself. Mr. Beaulieu’s motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mahsi. Mr. Abernethy, Great Slave.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll try that again. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to deal with the appointment of the Priorities and Planning committee motion I gave notice of earlier today.

---Unanimous consent granted

WHEREAS Rule 89(2) requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Priorities and Planning:

Mr. Tom Beaulieu, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh;

Mr. Frederic Blake Jr., the Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Ms. Julie Green, the Member for Yellowknife Centre;

Mr. Daniel M. McNeely, the Member for Sahtu;

Mr. Michael Nadli, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Kevin O’Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Kieron Testart, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mr. Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh; and

Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, the Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Member Abernethy. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Testart.

WHEREAS this Legislative Assembly is required to appoint Members to the Board of Management in accordance with Section 36 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;

AND WHEREAS appointments to the Board of Management are required to be made during the first sitting after a general election;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management of this Assembly:

the Honourable Jackson Lafferty, Member for Monfwi;

Mr. Frederick Blake Jr., Member for Mackenzie Delta;

Mr. Cory Vanthuyne, Member for Yellowknife North;

the Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; and

the Honourable Wally Schumann, Member for Hay River South.

AND FURTHER, that the following Members be appointed to the Board of Management as alternate members:

Mr. Herbert Nakimayak, Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Shane Thompson, Member for Nahendeh;

the Honourable Glen Abernethy, Member for Great Slave; and

the Honourable Louis Sebert, Member for Thebacha.

Mahsi, Mr. Testart. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Simpson, Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

---Unanimous consent granted

WHEREAS the Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly are mindful that it is an honour and privilege to serve the people of the Northwest Territories as legislators;

AND WHEREAS the trust and confidence the people have placed in conferring this office upon us demands the highest standard of conduct, integrity and honour;

AND WHEREAS Members are resolved to do our utmost to hear the voices of all our people; preserve our traditions and bridge them with new ways to build our future; provide legislation, policies and services for the good of the people as individuals, families and communities; promote the equality of all our people; distribute resources fairly and justly; and respect and honour our land and all its inhabitants;

AND WHEREAS Members recognize that we owe to this Legislature respect as well as dedication to ensuring the integrity of our government and to earning the confidence of the people;

AND WHEREAS Members recognize that we owe to our constituents our best efforts at effective representation as well as accountability, honesty, fairness and courtesy;

AND WHEREAS Members recognize that we owe to the public a responsibility to work for the well-being of all residents of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Members recognize that we owe to our colleagues fairness and respect for differences, and the duty to work together with goodwill for the common good;

AND WHEREAS Members are resolved not to act, nor condone others to act, in ways which are dishonest or which exploit, slander or discriminate against others;

AND WHEREAS Members acknowledge a vision and a responsibility to improve the lives of our people and to act in creative ways to overcome the hardships which destroy life and hope and the human frailties which fall upon us;

AND WHEREAS Members are resolved to respect and abide by the laws of Canada and the Northwest Territories and will not act in ways which will violate these laws;

AND WHEREAS paragraph 75(a) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that each Member shall perform his or her duties of office and arrange his or her private affairs in such a manner as to maintain public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of the Member;

AND WHEREAS past Assemblies have seen fit to adopt principles to guide Members’ conduct;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this 18th Legislative Assembly formally adopts the Members’ Conduct Guidelines as appended and which forms part of this resolution;

AND FURTHER, that each Member of the Legislative Assembly shall sign a copy of the Members’ Conduct Guidelines before the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, who shall make all signed copies available to the public through the Legislative Library and by posting signed copies on the Assembly website;

AND FURTHERMORE, that this Assembly refer the Members’ Conduct Guidelines to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures for a comprehensive and public review, including a thorough examination of conduct guidelines from other jurisdictions, both parliamentary and non-parliamentary organizations, all relevant legislation, and the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and that the Standing Committee report back to this Assembly during the fall sitting of 2016.

Mahsi, Mr. Simpson. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. Mr. Simpson.

Mr. Speaker, to conclude the motion and because of the seriousness of this matter, I wish to request a recorded vote.

The Member requests a recorded vote. To the motion.

All those in favour, please stand.