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.