Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Hon. Margaret Thom

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon. [English translation not provided.] Mahsi.

I am pleased and honoured to once again sit with you in this Chamber. I will assent to the bills that you all have worked hard and deliberated upon so carefully. Today marks the day that I imagine is mixed with many emotions as well as much personal and public planning for each of you. As Members of this 18^th Legislative Assembly, each of you has become an instrument of change and enhancement within this government. You have acted on the wishes and concerns of the people of our vast territory during your elected term. For that, I applaud you with huge mahsi cho. Know that we owe you a debt of gratitude, and we have much to be thankful for.

Being in politics is difficult, not only for the politician, but for your families, as well. As difficult as it is, we must remember the sacrifices of your families who contribute immensely to how you function as individuals, as a team player, and as a member of our great consensus form of government. On behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories, I extend my deep admiration and gratitude to your families.

Some of you have already announced your intention to seek re-election. I wish you well and every success in your platforms and in your campaigns. If you are elected again and return to this House, know that it was meant to be. If you do not get re-elected, close this chapter of your life knowing that you have done your very best in representing your constituents and the people of the Northwest Territories.

Some of you have announced your intention to not seek re-election. Rather, you have chosen to pursue new adventures and perhaps to rest and relax. I applaud you with sincere appreciation for your commitment and dedication in the service to your constituents and to all the people of our territory. I sincerely wish all of you success, good health, and happiness in the next chapter of your journey you will embark on, take on from here.

In closing, I am deeply honoured to have been part of your political journey. I will keep your kindness and how you welcomed me to my role as Commissioner close to my heart. Mahsi cho.

Speaker

Please be seated. Well, it's that time of our term. I would first like to extend the appreciation of this House to the Commissioner, Margaret M. Thom. As always, it was a pleasure to have her in the House today.

Colleagues, this is our last day together in the Chamber as Members of the Legislative Assembly. For those who are not seeking to return as Members of the 19^th Assembly, I would like to thank you for all of the services that you have provided to this institution and to the people of the Northwest Territories.

We have previously had the opportunity to recognize the contributions of the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes and the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Today, I wish to take a moment to recognize two other Members who will be ending their time in the Assembly.

First, I would like to recognize the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. He was first elected in 2011 and has served two terms. In the 17^th Assembly, he served at the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, work which I know he took very seriously.

In the 18^th Assembly, he was elected by Members to serve on the Executive Council and has served as the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. He has also served as the Minister responsible for Youth, Homelessness, and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission.

Few can dispute the Member's commitment to the young people of the Northwest Territories or his passionate delivery of replies to questions in this Chamber. Masi for that.

Next, I would like to recognize the Member for Great Slave. First elected in 2007, the Member has served in three Assemblies, three terms.

In the 16^th Assembly, he served as the deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which foreshadowed the important role he would play in the 17^th and 18^th Assemblies.

The Member was elected to the Executive Council in 2011 and has served as a Minister since that time. He has served as the Minister of Health and Social Services, as well as the Minister of Justice, Public Works and Services, and the Minister responsible for Seniors and Persons With Disabilities.

He has also served as the Minister responsible for the Public Utilities Board, Human Resources, and as Government House Leader, where he had the chance to work collaboratively with the Speaker, myself. The Member and I go way back, so it kind of gets emotional at times.

The Member for Great Slave will be remembered for his approach on various initiatives and his passion for consensus-style government. The Member will be taking time to enjoy life with his young son, David, and his wife, Caroline.

Members, join me in wishing both of these Members all of the happiness that they richly deserve.

---Applause

For Members seeking to return to this Assembly, and all those residents who have or will be putting their names forward to serve as a Member of this Assembly, these departures leave big shoes to fill. However, I am confident that the Members of the 19^th Assembly will rise to the challenge.

As we reach the end of the Assembly here today, it is a time that reminds all of us of an important truth: this building that we are in. This Assembly is about more than the people of the Northwest Territories, who come and go over time. It is about the people whom we come here to serve. We are the trustees of responsible government, not the holders.

While not all Members of the 18^th Assembly may return, your work here will be remembered as the Commissioner has indicated. A common misunderstanding of a consensus-style government is that we must all agree, but that is simply simply not the case. We work together.

Consensus government is all about voices, voices of the North that we hear as we move forward with the decisions that we had to make in this House, in this Chamber. While we may not always agree on certain issues or certain demands, we will always listen. As Members, each one of you has brought a distinct voice to this Assembly and to our proceedings. That will not be forgotten or lost.

I want to thank the interpreters who ensure that distinct voices are heard by residents in our official languages. Your work is greatly appreciated.

I also want to thank those pages who have been with us throughout our journey the last four years. They have done a tremendous job. They provided us lots of patience, dedication, and simply for being here with us. Thank you. Masi.

I also want to thank those contractors who help us out with our jobs: Pido Productions, Tinwin Janitorial, Twilite Security, and ASAP Reporting Services.

Finally, I have to do this again: the Pages. They are the young leaders of the future, and they have been here with us. Your presence in the Chamber is much more important. Your presence here reminds us that the decisions we make today will certainly and definitely affect your future. Thank you for your services, particularly in the last few days of our session here.

I would like to thank all the Members again for being part of this Assembly and remind Members to refrain from leaving the Chamber. There is a special surprise after I come back. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Orders of the day for Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 1:30 p.m.:

1. Prayer
2. Ministers' Statements
3. Members' Statements
4. Returns to Oral Questions
5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
6. Acknowledgements
7. Oral Questions
8. Written Questions
9. Returns to Written Questions
10. Replies to the Commissioner's Opening Address
11. Petitions
12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
14. Tabling of Documents
15. Notices of Motion
16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
17. Motions
18. First Reading of Bills
19. Second Reading of Bills
20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

- Minister's Statement 151-18(3), New Federal Infrastructure Agreement

- Minister's Statement 158-18(3), Developments in Early Childhood Programs and Services

- Minister's Statement 211-18(3), Addressing the Caribou Crisis

- Tabled Document 442-18(3), 2030 NWT Climate Change Strategic Framework 2019-2023 Action Plan

1. Report of Committee of the Whole
2. Third Reading of Bills
3. Orders of the Day

Speaker

Masi. Mr. Clerk. This House is adjourned until Thursday, October 24, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 1:42 p.m.