Members, as your Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome you back to the Legislative Assembly today. Our Chamber remains physically distanced, and we continue to operate in this COVID-19 environment. I want to thank all Members for their cooperation. Although physically distanced from each other, we must continue to work together. That is how we can best serve the people who elected us to represent them. I look forward to the debate and discussion you will have over the next few weeks. These decisions will have a direct effect on our residents.

I remind all Members to conduct themselves in keeping with the rules of this Assembly. Show respect for one another and for this institution. As your Speaker, I will do my best to lead by example. However, it is my role to enforce our rules, and I am prepared to do so.

Although the Assembly remains closed to the public, media are welcome in the gallery. We continue to broadcast and live stream our proceedings. It is important residents see and understand the work being done.

Throughout this sitting, interpretation will be offered into Chipewyan, French, North Slavey, South Slavey, and Tlicho. I thank the interpreters for their hard work. Please be mindful and try to talk slowly so they have time to interpret.

Interpreted video of our proceedings will be broadcast on our television channel and will be available on our YouTube channel.

Members, on October 8, 2020, it was Ombud Day in Canada. This year, the Northwest Territories marked this day with an ombud in place to serve residents. Later today, I will table the first annual report of the ombud.

Now, it is my duty to advise the House that I have received the following message from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. It reads:

Dear Mr. Speaker,

I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of:

• Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2021-2022;
• Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2020-2021

during the second session of the 19^th Assembly.

Yours truly,

Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner

Thank you, Members. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.