Masi. Colleagues, on behalf of the Assembly, I'll let you proceed with this session. Thank you, Mr. Blake, for the opening prayer. I'm pleased to welcome back to the Chamber, to reconvene a 2nd session of the Legislative Assembly.

At this time, colleagues, I'm saddened to announce that Mr. Bryan Pearson passed away yesterday, October 12, 2016. Mr. Pearson was first elected to 7th Council of the Northwest Territories on December 21, 1970 to represent the Eastern Arctic. In 1975 he was re-elected to an 8th Council at the Northwest Territories. On behalf of the Assembly, I offer sincere condolences to his family and friends. Flags at the Legislative Assembly were at half-mast, yesterday and will be at half-mast again on the day of Mr. Pearson's memorial.

Colleagues, on September 1st of this year Deline became the first self-government community in the Northwest Territories and the first self-government community in Canada that is the home to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

After 20 years of hard work and negotiations between the Deline First Nation and Deline Land Corporation, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Canada, this was a day to be remembered and celebrated. This was an important day not only for the people of Deline, but for all people of the Northwest Territories. Colleagues, I ask you to join me in congratulating the people of Deline.

I would also like to take a moment to offer my personal gratitude and appreciation to Harriet Koyina of Behchoko for the beautiful beading and embroidery on my robe. Ms Koyina is a talented and accomplished artist and I am proud and honoured to display her work in our Chamber. Masi, Ms. Koyina.

I would also like to extend special thanks to the pages who will be joining us throughout this sitting. We will have students from:

● Charles Tetcho School in Trout Lake;

● Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah;

● East Three Secondary School in Inuvik;

● Ecole Boreale in Hay River;

● Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk;

● Alexis Arrowmaker School in Gameti; and

● Range Lake North School in Yellowknife.

Colleagues, it is a pleasure and an honour to share this Chamber with the youth of our territory. They are our future. Please join me in thanking them and welcoming them to the Assembly.

Colleagues, our form of consensus government works best when we abide by the rules and procedures of this House, conduct ourselves with dignity and show respect for one another, our Assembly and all people of the Northwest Territories.Before we turn our attention to the work at hand, I ask that we take a moment to reflect upon the reasons why we are here, the communities that we represent and the people who have elected us to make decisions on their behalf. Our positions are not to be taken lightly. Colleagues, I wish to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Deputy 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 (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2017-2018;

● Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2016-2017; and

● Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2016-2017

during the 2nd session of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Yours truly, Gerald W. Kisoun, Deputy Commissioner

Masi, colleagues. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. Honourable Premier.