Masi. Please be seated. Good afternoon, Members. Members, [Translation] on behalf of the Assembly, I'd like to thank the elder, William Greenland for joining us today and leading us in prayer. Masi.
I would also like to thank the Pages we will have with us throughout this sitting. We have students from:
- East Three School in Inuvik;
- Ecole Boreale in Hay River;
- Angik School in Paulatuk;
- Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Behchoko;
- Ehtseo Ayha School in Deline;
- Paul W. Kaeser School in Fort Smith; and
- Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife.
They are here for the session. Welcome, and thank you to all the Pages who will be with us during this sitting. One day, these young people will be our leaders. They are the future of this great territory. Please join me in thanking them and welcoming them to the Assembly.
Our official languages are an important reflection of the culture and heritage of the Northwest Territories. Throughout the country and around the globe, Indigenous and minority languages are languishing and need to be preserved and celebrated. This is best done through the use of our languages.
I am pleased to advise Members of this House and the public that throughout this sitting we will be providing interpretation in the following languages:
- Tlicho;
- South Slavey;
- Chipewyan; and
- French.
Members, please remember to leave your dials on channel two for English.
I encourage everyone to use and develop your language skills to preserve and strengthen all of our official languages. Colleagues, it is my pleasure to welcome you all back to the Chamber to resume the 3rd Session of the 18th Legislative Assembly.
Colleagues, autumn is upon us and winter is just around the corner; too soon, some might say. I know that your summers were busy with work in your constituencies, work in your committees, and the ongoing work of government. Although we lead busy lives, I hope you were also able to find time for family, close friends, and yourselves.
With our summer behind us, it is time to look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie before us as individuals and collectively as Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly.
As we enter the final year of this Assembly, it is of the utmost importance that we consider why we are here. We were elected to represent and serve our constituents and all people of this territory. We can only achieve this if we continue to work together showing respect for this House, each other, and ourselves.
That is not to suggest that we will not have disagreements. We will, but we must be respectful and professional when we have these disagreements. This respect and professionalism is in keeping with the rules of our Legislative Assembly and our form of consensus government, and in keeping with the expectations of the people who elected us.
Now I wish to advise the House that I have received the following message from the 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), 2019-2020;
- Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2018-2019; and
- Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2018-2019.
during the third session of the 18th Assembly. Yours truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner. [Translation ends]
Masi, colleagues.
Item 2, Ministers' statements. The Honourable Premier.