Good afternoon, colleagues. Please join me in thanking the Yellowknives Dene First Nation drummers for opening our sitting today.
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Colleagues, it was a long difficult summer. Many residents were displaced for weeks. Wildfires breached community boundaries. People lost their homes and businesses.
Frontline responders worked for weeks fighting back wildfires right on the doorstep of our communities. I want to thank everyone who worked to protect our territory this summer and continue this important work as we meet here today.
Natural disasters take a toll on all of us, physically, mentally and emotionally. While the wildfire season is not over, we are emerging from the most critical stages. We must recover from this natural disaster together. Do what Northerners do best and help one another. Be kind. Be patient. We still have to face the road ahead.
Since our last sitting, two former members of the Legislative Assembly, Robert Sayine and Tommy Enuaraq, have passed. Mr. Sayine was born in Fort Resolution and elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1979. He worked tirelessly for his community, serving as chief, sub-chief and councillor, in addition to many other roles. He is missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Enuaraq was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1995 for the people of Baffin Central. A well-known community leader and author, he is missed by his wife Elisapee and six children.
I would also like to acknowledge the passing of Bronwyn Watters, the Northwest Territories Equal Pay Commissioner. Ms. Watters had an extensive career with the GNWT and voluntary service. The GNWT is fortunate to have been a recipient of her exemplary work ethic and dedication. She is dearly missed by her husband and family.
I would also like to take this time to acknowledge all the people who have passed on from all constituencies across the NWT. Our sympathy and condolences go out to those who are grieving.
Members, this is the final sitting of the 19th Assembly. As Members, we have navigated COVID-19 global pandemic, self-isolation and the impact this has had on our communities; we have responded to economic downturns; we have evacuated communities from flooding; and, we continue to manage emergency response to fires today. If there is anything we have learned with this unprecedented last four years as Members, it is how to get the job done in the face of uncertainty.
Members, this is our last sitting to enact legislation and pass the capital budget. I ask all Members to stay focused on the task ahead of us, to get our work done efficiently this week, so we can all go back to support our constituents across the NWT.
Colleagues, please join me in welcoming our pages to the Chamber. It is an honour to share this space with our youth.
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I would also like to welcome our interpreters back to the Assembly and thank them for their work. Our languages are vital to us as Northerners. They tie us to our culture, to our land, and to one another. During this sitting, I am honoured that we will be able to provide interpretation into the following languages: Dene Suline Yatie, Inuvialuktun, Dene Kede,
Dene Zhatie, Tlicho Yatii; and French
Now, colleagues, it is my duty to advise the House that I have received two messages from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories.
The first letter reads:
Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I assent to the following bills:
- Bill 97, An Act to Postpone Polling Day for the 2023 General Election;
- Bill 99, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No.2, 2023-2024.
Yours truly, Margaret M. Thom, Commissioner.
The second letter reads:
Dear Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) No. 3, 2023-2024 during the second session of the 19th Legislative Assembly. Your truly, Margaret M. Thom.
Thank you, colleagues. Ministers' statements. Madam Premier.