Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I'd like to welcome my colleagues back to the House. As we all know, this will be a busy sitting as our second session draws to a close. Today, though, I want to start with an update from the communities of the Mackenzie Delta.

Mr. Speaker, most of last week disruption in the operation of the Abraham Francis Ferry stranded residents, students, tourists, truckers, and essential services like fuel and groceries on the south side of the Peel River. Fortunately, residents of Fort McPherson stepped up to the plate to help stranded drivers, travelling by boat to bring food and water and even offering their cabins to people who needed a place to stay. Still, Mr. Speaker, it's not an easy situation, not for those who were stranded and not for communities waiting for returning family members and supplies.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Infrastructure has advised that the ferry was put out of service due to high water and floating debris in the river. Residents of the Mackenzie Delta understand that these kinds of disruptions are a part of life along the Peel and that the department has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its workers and the people who use its services.

Still, Mr. Speaker, residents were surprised and perplexed by the closure. I have heard from some of my constituents that more training might be useful for the department, both for assessing and dealing with challenging conditions on the river.

I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.

Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [no translation provided]. Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to do a tribute to the late Sonny David Drygeese of Detah.

Mr. Drygeese was born June 2, 1975, and sadly passed away on June 6, 2017, at age 42. Mr. Speaker, David was born in Yellowknife and came from a large family in Detah. The Drygeese family also has family in Ndilo who all loved being around him. David always had a smile and a contagious laugh. He was well known for his generosity and kindness. Mr. Speaker, his passion was for playing the traditional dene drum and singing with the YK Dene Drummers, which he loved the most. On various occasions, he was invited to drum for us here, at the Great Hall at the Legislative Assembly. He would also perform at various carnival talent shows. David was one of the caregivers that I have often spoken about in this Assembly. David lived with his grandmother, Mary Louise. He drove her around, took care of her, maintained her independence as she aged in place.

Mr. Speaker, David is survived by his son, David John Drygeese, Jr.; mother, Mary Rose Sundberg; father, George Martin; sisters, Charlene, Stacey, Tammy, Grace, Cheryl; and his grandmother, Mary Louise. David also had many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunties, and cousins around Detah, Ndilo, and Yellowknife. Mr. Speaker, David was predeceased by his grandparents, John Drygeese, Henry Martin, Madeline Lennie; and his brother, Michael G. Martin.

Mr. Speaker, I knew David. I have known him since he was young man. Mr. Speaker, my sincere condolences go out to the late David Drygeese's family and friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful young man who passed away way too soon. I am sure the Detah Drummers think of David each time they perform somewhere. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Our condolences to the family, as well. Members' statements. Item 4, reports of standing and special committees. Item 5, returns to oral questions. Item 6, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the people in the gallery. Please recognize Lori Cutler, who works with Indigenous and Northern Affairs in Ottawa. We hope you are enjoying your time here with us. Masi for coming to the North. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to recognize my wife, Melody McLeod, wife of 44 years, and I can remember that because it is my residential school number. Also, sitting beside her, I was going to say her sister, but she looks like her sister, Jane Dragon from Fort Smith, also the recipient of many awards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would also like to recognize Mrs. McLeod, but my Mrs. McLeod, and we just celebrated our 38th anniversary this July. Welcome to the gallery. I would also like to recognize the former Member from Frame Lake, Ms. Wendy Bisaro. Why did you leave? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a moment to recognize Samantha Thomas, who is our new director of the NWT Status of Women, and also Roxane Landry, who is also the new office administrator for the NWT Status of Women. Welcome.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to recognize a resident of Hay River, the woman whose shirt matches my tie, my mother, Bette Lyons, and I want to wish her a happy birthday. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and welcome a couple of folks today. First, I would like to recognize a former city councillor, and as well, an MLA for Frame Lake, now a Yellowknife North resident, Wendy Bisaro; and I would also like to recognize a former city councillor, colleague, and now the street outreach coordinator, Ms. Lydia Bardak. Welcome.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize my friend Wendy Bisaro, who served this House and also served as city councillor, and thank you for her years of public service. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also rise to acknowledge Wendy Bisaro. With Wendy in the House with the Minister and I, we represent a quarter of all the women who have ever been elected in the NWT. That is three. I would also like to acknowledge my constituent Samantha Thomas and congratulate her on her new role, and wish her the best as the ED of the Status of Women, and also Lydia Bardak, my constituent who is doing some very effective work on the streets of Yellowknife helping people who are intoxicated. Thank you.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize Ms. Lillian Elias, who is the Elder here who said the opening prayer. Also, she is the Inuvialuit interpreter for the Legislative Assembly, and my Auntie. Welcome. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to take the opportunity to recognize one of the constituents from my riding in Inuvik Boot Lake, Ms. Judy McLeod. Welcome to the House. It is always great to have you here. Also, a former colleague in the 17th Legislative Assembly who has offered great wisdom, experience, and guidance, Ms. Wendy Bisaro. Great to see you again, and welcome to the House. As well as Lillian Elias, who is translating this week as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we missed anyone in the gallery, thank you for joining us in our proceedings. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 7, acknowledgements. Item 8, oral questions. Member for Hay River North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it was the last of the questions I asked on the last day of our last sitting, and it was about the Yellowknife Airport hours of operations. Just to refresh everyone's memory, sometimes when people are en route to Hay River, they fly through Yellowknife. If a flight gets in late, at midnight, one in the morning, then they assume they are going to be staying at the airport until they can check in at four in the morning, but what happens is the airport closes for those three and a half hours? I asked the Minister before; this is the third time I will be asking these questions. I asked him: when we get this airport revolving fund, will we be able to keep the airport open 24 hours? Because sometimes people in the winter have to leave the airport overnight, and sometimes there is nowhere to go. Sometimes there is no hotel. Sometimes they cannot afford to take a taxi to Tim Hortons. He said we will look into it once we get the airport revolving fund. He said we will look into it. Well, I have got confirmation, a letter of confirmation that they will not be opening the airport 24 hours unless there are flights departing or leaving in that time span.

I would like to ask the Minister: when can we expect new flights to be added that are going to be departing or leaving at around two in the morning so that we can keep this airport open? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.