Thank you, Ms. Snowshoe, for the prayer today. Ms. Snowshoe is one of my elders from Fort McPherson. Mahsi cho.
Members, interpreters, visitors in the gallery, and Pages, as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, it is my honour to welcome you here today during this holiday season.
It is the darkest time of the year, but I had the honour of lighting up the Assembly last week as part of Christmas Lights Across Canada. Thank you to all of the Yellowknife, Detah, and Ndilo kindergarten students who came to the Legislative Assembly to decorate the Christmas trees.
Also, thank you to the schools across the North that sent in decorations for the large Christmas tree in the Great Hall.
Today marks the first regular sitting day of this 19th Legislative Assembly. I know all Members are excited to begin the work of this Assembly. I hope the positive and respectful tone you take today will last the next four years.
I want to thank the Pages for joining us here in the Assembly. For this sitting, we have Pages from Yellowknife and Detah. Having you in the Chamber reminds Members that the decisions we make today will affect your future.
Members, our proceedings this week will be interpreted in French and eight of our nine Indigenous languages. Please join me in thanking the interpreters.
---Applause
As an early Christmas present to the interpreters, I remind you to speak slowly and take a pause to allow them to catch up.
Finally, Commissioner Margaret Thom has recommended the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) 2019-2020 during this first session of the 19th Assembly. Thank you.
Item 3, Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.