Thank you, colleagues. Please be seated. Members, I also wish to offer condolences on behalf of the Assembly to the family and friends of the Honourable David Searle and Mr. Sonny MacDonald.
Mr. Searle was the first person to fill the role of Speaker of the Northwest Territories of the Legislative Assembly, a prominent lawyer, community leader, and a member of the Order of Canada. Mr. Searle passed away on March 1st, 2021.
Mr. MacDonald, an internationally recognized artist, was responsible for the loon carving that sits here beside me in the Chamber, a recipient of the Order of the Northwest Territories and former Chair of the NWT Arts Council. Mr. MacDonald died on April 20th, 2021. His talent will be remembered both here in the Chamber and in the homes of many Northerners. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, with their families and friends.
I would also like to acknowledge the resilience of the people of Jean Marie River, Fort Simpson, and other communities, like Fort Good Hope and Aklavik, who have faced or are facing flooding in their communities. Please know that the Members of the Legislative Assembly recognize the challenges you are facing and are working to help it.
Members, it is my pleasure to welcome you back today. It is an honour for us to be here on behalf of our constituents and all residents of the North - of this Territory.
Colleagues, this will not be a long sitting, but the work to be done is important. The decisions you make in this House have important and lasting impacts on our constituents and all our people of this Territory.
I remind Members to conduct themselves in keeping the rules of this Assembly. Show respect for one another, for this institution, and, most importantly, for those who elected us. This is a place of the people. We are here to serve as their representatives, and we truly look forward to their return. It has not been the same without them here. 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. Our people need the opportunity to see and understand the work being done on their behalf.
Colleagues, the days are growing longer and summer is just ahead of us. This is a beautiful time of year, and we are blessed to live in this Territory. I know that many of us and many of our residents have been fortunate enough to be able to get out on the land in recent weeks, and we are looking forward to the summer.
To all Members and all people of the Territory, I want to remind you to be respectful and appreciate our land and resources. As we continue to take care of Territory, it will continue to take care of us.
And 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:
Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of
- Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No. 1, 2021-2022;
- and Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2021-2022, during the Second Session of the 19th Assembly.
Yours truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner. Thank you, Members.
Orders of the day. Ministers' statements. Honourable Premier.