Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This year's International Women's Day comes at a time of heightened interest in the role of women in politics. This interest started at the time of the last presidential election in the United States, when the most qualified candidate ever to run did not win. It has continued to the present day, when Cabinet Minister resignations in Ottawa have highlighted the highs and lows of political life for women. None of this has gone unnoticed by the women of the Northwest Territories. The Special Committee on Increasing the Representation of Women in our own Legislative Assembly has had great turn-outs at its community hearings. Women want to know how they can take their place in this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, there is a pool of women in the Northwest Territories who are eligible, qualified, and willing to run. Meeting the eligibility is simple. Women need to be 18 years old, a Canadian citizen, and a resident of the Northwest Territories for a year. They are qualified to run by virtue of their life experience. "Just come as you are, ladies," said a friend of mine recently elected to the Yellowknife city council. None of us came here knowing everything we needed to know to do this job, but, since women worry about whether they are qualified, it's worth mentioning that women in the Northwest Territories graduate from high school in greater numbers than men and are more likely to have a university degree. For most women in the Northwest Territories, the biggest consideration is being willing to run.

Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about why it's worth running. I ran after many years as an advocate for housing and women's issues. I wanted to talk about those issues in this House and push for change. Research says other women often run for the same reasons. They are advocates, and they want to pursue those policy issues that are important to women, issues that are not being discussed as often or even at all by men. That does not mean that women cannot or will not talk about economic development, financial policy, or land management. Of course they can, but their male colleagues are less likely to talk about pay equity, universal access to family planning, or violence against women.

Mr. Speaker, this is where women's voices can make a difference, and the more the better. Research indicates elected women promote gender equality and strengthen democratic institutions because women are often willing collaborators. Women also make substantive contributions to the consideration of government spending and population health. In short, women can change the world, not only for women, but for everyone. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, women have a right to be in this Chamber, whatever their priorities. They have a job to do shaping policy and making change, but, perhaps most importantly, by being here, they show other women what's possible. If you can see it, you can be it. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure today to recognize Arlene Hache, who is a constituent of Yellowknife North who is also a very well-known and very well-recognized social advocate, and especially for women. I just want to welcome you here and say thank you for being here on this International Women's Day.

Masi. [English translation not provided.] Member for Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to recognize the attendance of the board of the NWT Status of Women Council and their executive director here in the House today: Ms. Violet Camsell-Blondin, our president; Rita Arey, vice president; board members Catherine Mackeinzo-Taylor, Andrea Steed, and Arlene Hache; as well as the executive director, Louise Elder. I would also like to thank them for their ongoing contributions to improving the lives of women in all of our communities and for being here today, along with the other women in the gallery, to help celebrate International Women's Day. Your presence is very much appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. [English translation not provided.] Member for Frame Lake.

Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize my friend, Violet Camsell-Blondin, and I have had the pleasure of working with Violet for probably 30 years. She now serves as the chair of the Status of Women Council, and I thank her for her public service. I would like to recognize Frame Lake constituent Louise Elder and thank her for her work as executive director of the Status of Women Council. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. [English translation not provided.] Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I recognized a couple of Pages who we had from Inuvik Twin Lakes. Today, I would like to recognize their chaperone. Blair Conley brought them down here. I would also like to take a minute to recognize Rita Furlong Arey from Aklavik, who I affectionately call Rita B. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. [English Translation not provided.] Member for Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the lady leaders of the NWT Native Women's Association in the gallery, and also Kathy Mackenzie-Taylor from Deline and Rita Arey from Aklavik and my CA, Corrine Ferdinand. Mahsi.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a Thebacha constituent, Andrea Steen.

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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a couple of the Pages for Hay River North who have been helping us out through some of these long nights, Ms. Taylor Giovanetti and Ms. Lizzy Rimer. They have been with us all week, and I really appreciate their assistance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. [English Translation not provided.] Member for Mackenzie Delta.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Rita Arey from Aklavik, my constituent and also vice-president of the Status of Women, also a retired social worker after many years of service. I thank you for that and all the work that you do. Mahsi.

Masi. [English Translation not provided.] Member for Yellowknife South.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize three Pages from Yellowknife South, Tyson Lafond, Janica-Lei Silverio, and Ryley Steinwand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nunakput.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize Ms. Violet Camsell-Blondin. We have run into each other at a lot of Indigenous events and organized working groups around the territory. I appreciate the work that you do. Also, to our friend Arlene Hache, welcome to the Legislature. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. If we are missing anyone in the gallery, thanks for being here with us. It is always great to have an audience as part of our proceedings. Masi. Item 6, acknowledgements. Item 7, oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services. The federal government has introduced Bill C-92, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Children, Youth, and Families. The purpose of the act is to acknowledge that Indigenous governments have the right to create their own laws to regulate child and family services. I realize this legislation was introduced only a week ago. Can the Minister tell us how Bill C-92 will apply in the NWT, if at all? Thank you.