Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss the important steps this Assembly has made to strengthen our democratic institutions in the Northwest Territories.
During the 18th Assembly, we should all be proud of our shared record towards this end. We have made all committee meetings public by default; we have ensured that important votes of this House are recorded; we ensure that there was time for the public to comment on choosing the Premier during the Territorial Leadership Committee before this House voted on that outcome. The Legislature has improved its broadcast of proceedings, both in the House and in the meetings of standing committees, on more platforms than in previous Assemblies. We have taken steps to strengthen the Members' Code of Conduct and pass new Ombuds legislation to give another accountability mechanism to the people of the Northwest Territories. This Assembly has taken concrete steps to work on transparency and accessibility, and I hope that the 19th Assembly will continue to carry this torch.
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of decisions in this Assembly have been unanimous. Mr. Speaker, I caution those who might exaggerate those select instances when this House stood divided; division in an institution such as ours is a sign of healthy discussion and debate. I doubt anyone truly wants an Assembly where disagreements are unable to be voiced or one where the unity of the Assembly is maintained publicly while remaining divided behind closed doors. The public wants to know that the government they elect, which is responsible for overseeing and administering the programs which are important to them, is accountable, accessible, and remains responsive to their interests.
In our remaining two weeks, the 18th Assembly has many pieces of legislation to address, and very little time for debate. Every decision we make now will create consequences for the next Assembly that it will be left to deal with, good, bad, or indifferent. I hope that the 19th Assembly will heed the lessons of this one, learn from our mistakes, take from our successes, and improve where we were unable to do so, and chart a clear path towards a prosperous future for all residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.