Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, climate change and flooding has been a reality here for the last while. So I'd ask the Minister will he consider bolstering his staff complement to deal with climate change and flooding. So, you know, what I'm looking for is, you know, we need expertise on climate change, on hydrology, and flood mitigation. Thank you.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we actually just hired our climate change specialist in the department. He has vast experience in climate change, and he is now in place with the department. In regards to the bolstering other staff, like, we've had our EMO staff; we've created five new positions; we have three positions at headquarters. So we're working on that.

With ENR and that department there, we've also worked on creating and finding positions that will help deal with this. We've bolstered some of our staff as the government across the Northwest Territories. So we are looking at where we can help and that.

And as the Member said, climate change is the reality. We're living it. Not when it's going to happen. We're living it. It's impacting us. And so we're trying to move forward on this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, our time for oral questions has expired. Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to go back to recognition of visitors in the gallery.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier.

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted

Caroline Cochrane Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize the former Premier Bob McLeod, who is in the gallery. Today the Legislative Assembly will be unveiling his portrait to join the other previous Premiers.

Premier McLeod dedicated his life and career to making the Northwest Territories a better place for residents and businesses. He worked in civil service for 28 years, including serving as a deputy minister in three different departments as well as secretary to Cabinet during the 15th Assembly.

He was first elected in 2007 as the MLA for Yellowknife South. In his first term as MLA, he was elected to Cabinet and became the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

Premier McLeod was acclaimed in 2011, easy ride, and put his name forward for Premier, defeating two other candidates to become our 12th Premier of the Northwest Territories. In 2015, Premier McLeod made history, becoming the first two-term Premier of the Northwest Territories.

Premier McLeod was always willing to do what was needed to make the Northwest Territories a better place for current and future generations, and we thank him for his dedication to the people of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, on a personal note, though, I have nothing but respect for Premier McLeod and I am honoured that I was a Member of his Cabinet. Premier McLeod never told me what not to do. He never had to. When he felt I was off track, he only had to give me "the look", and I knew he was not happy. Mr. Speaker, I know Premier McLeod is a quiet, humble man, and probably not comfortable with being formally recognized in the House. So I purposely am not looking at him in the gallery for fear of once again getting "the look" he's so famous for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to applaud former Premier of NWT, a two-term Premier, Mr. Bob McLeod, and I applaud the Premier for her tribute to Mr. McLeod for his service to the Northwest Territories. And also the fact that Bob McLeod is from Fort Providence. His friends and everybody lived there. There was a rumour that his prolific hockey career began on an ice puddle with one skate and a willow stick. So I believe he carried it on to his son, Warren, who is also here, and to his grandsons. I think Carter is down in a recognized hockey school so we wish him the best. I hope to see him in the NHL at some point. And from my aunt's, on my extended family's side, he's in the building somewhere, he's the Metis president, Mr. Clifford McLeod, and also Languages Commissioner, Brenda Gauthier, is here with us. They're all from Fort Providence. And Lorraine Whitman who is also here, moved back to Providence after a long GNWT career. I'd like everyone to join me in a round of applause for all these people in the visitors gallery. Mahsi.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize former Premier McLeod and his wonderful wife Melody. I graduated with this couple from high school, and so I know all the secrets of the past.

And I also want to thank Premier McLeod. When I was in leadership with the Salt River First Nation, Mr. McLeod and other ministers, that are still here in this House, helped that file greatly, and I really appreciate that leadership. Thank you so much.

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Great Slave.

Katrina Nokleby Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm glad that I ran out to use the washroom because I was able to actually look back at the gallery, and I would like to recognize Father Joe Daley, one of my constituents, here in the gallery. Thank you.