Colleagues, welcome back to the Chamber. Before we begin, I wish to offer condolences on behalf of the Assembly to the family and friends of the honourable Robert MacQuarrie.
Mr. MacQuarrie began his adventure in the North in 1966, teaching across the Eastern Arctic and in Yellowknife. He served two terms at the Legislative Assembly and was elected as Speaker to the 9th Assembly in November 1979. As a Member of the Constitutional Alliance of the Northwest Territories, a group of representatives from the Indigenous governments, Indigenous-led associations, and the Legislative Assembly, Mr. MacQuarrie helped guide the development of a new government that we now know as Nunavut.
He was well known for his musical talent and with his love of the north. He wrote many songs about the Northwest Territories. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
I would now like to welcome Members back after a long adjournment. We last convened in this Chamber on June 4th. I hope that all Members and people of the Northwest Territories had a safe summer and fall out on the land, enjoying our beautiful territory.
On October 19th, pursuant to Motion 38-19(2) and in the public interest, I announced the fall sitting would be rescheduled. The House was called to sit today almost six weeks later than scheduled. This was a decision that I made after careful consideration and discussion with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly. The COVID-19 virus continues to affect many of our people and our communities, and my thoughts and prayers are with those communities dealing with an active outbreak, those that have overcome outbreaks, and everyone who has been affected by the COVID-19 virus.
On November 1st, the Board of Management approved the Legislative Assembly's COVID-19 vaccination policy requiring mandatory vaccinations against COVID-19. All persons who enter the Legislative Assembly building and are eligible to be vaccinated will be required to have received the full series of Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccinations or an approved combination of Health Canada-approved vaccines.
Members, I would like to formally welcome our new colleague, the Member for Monfwi.
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The Member for Monfwi was elected in the by-election on July 27th. The official swearing in ceremony was held in the Chamber on August 5th with many respected Elders, friends and family by her side. The Member for Monfwi was recently the president of the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories for six years and a councillor for the Behchoko community government. The Member completed a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Saskatchewan and received diplomas from the child and youth care worker program at Mount Royal College and a social work program at Aurora College. Even though it is the Member's first sitting of the Legislative Assembly, the Member for Monfwi has been actively working for her constituents and attending virtual committee meetings since her swearing-in ceremony.
Colleagues, please join me in welcoming the Member for Monfwi to the Chamber today. We are all excited to be here and working together in person for this sitting.
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Thank you, Members. It is an honour for us all to be here on behalf of our constituents and all residents of the Northwest Territories. I would like to take this time to remind Members to conduct themselves in keeping with the rules of the Assembly. This respect for one another, for this institution, and most importantly for those who elected us. Treat each other with dignity and take pride in the work that we do here. We are here to serve as representatives for the people that elected us and put their trust in us.
I look forward to being able to welcome the public back into this building, however the current COVID-19 situation does not allow it at this time. Although the Assembly remains closed to the public, media are welcome in the gallery. We continue to broadcast and live stream our proceedings. We need to ensure the public has the opportunity to see and understand the work being done here on their behalf.
Now, colleagues, 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) 2022-2023;
- Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) No. 4, 2020-2021;
- Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022; and
- Supplementary Appropriation Act (Corporation Expenditures) No. 2, 2021 - 2022
during the Second Session of the 19th Legislative Assembly. Yours Truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner.
Thank you, colleagues. Member for Thebacha on a point of privilege.