Good afternoon, colleagues. Please join me in thanking Elder Annie Inuktalik for the opening words and blessing today.

Colleagues, it's great to be back in this House again today. I'd like to thank the deputy Speaker for taking the reins at the end of last week when I was attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's 44th Canadian parliamentary seminar in Edmonton. It was a wonderful program and I am thankful that I was able to attend on behalf of the House as well with the Member from Inuvik Boot Lake.

I would also like to take a few minutes to provide an update on some of my work over the summer. I thank you for your time and attention.

This summer I had the pleasure of touring communities within my riding with Minister Wawzonek. It's almost been three and a half years of planning to get it done, but we were able to successfully do it. And my communities were very thankful for her to attend, and I would like to thank her as well. We still have one to go but we will get that one done.

Folks, these communities and the people who live there are the reason that I am here, to represent them and their needs. I am grateful they have trusted me to serve as their representative, and I will continue to do my best to represent them through my ongoing conversations with our Premier, Ministers, all Members of the Legislative Assembly and elected officials from other governments.

In addition to visiting throughout the Nahendeh, I had the opportunity to spend some time representing the Legislative Assembly in Ontario this summer. I was fortunate to spend some time in Ottawa where i had the opportunity to meet with Speaker Akoak and deputy Speaker Hickes from Nunavut. More excitingly for me was the opportunity to meet with our Northern Youth Abroad participants and their staff while I was in Ottawa. One of the highlights of this visit was touring the senate and parliament with the youth and meeting with Speaker Fergus and Speaker Gagné. I thank all the speakers, deputy Speaker, and staff who shared their time and experience to make this possible. It was a great experience for our youth, and me as well. I cannot stress how grateful I was to be able to be part of that visit. It was truly a blessing to be able to be involved with these youths, spending time with them, helping them and learning from them. It's been said many times that the youth are our future and, colleagues, we are in great hands. Our future is looking bright.

I also had the opportunity to attend the recent Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meetings in Toronto, where I had the opportunity to meet with and learn from others colleagues from across Canada and throughout the commonwealth. I'd also like to thank the Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiliideh for joining me on that great meeting.

Colleagues, finally I would like to draw your attention to the sash on the table beside me. Following the memorial service of Mr. Whitford this past weekend, his family gifted his sash to this Assembly. I am truly honoured to receive this gift, and I can think of no better place to display Tony's sash than in this chamber. Tony was an important part of this institution for many years, and I am honoured to have his sash in the chamber with us. He will always have a place of honour in this Assembly. Colleagues, when you look at Tony's sash, let it be a reminder of his service and dedication to this Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories. It is a reminder to each of us, not just of the great work that he did but of the great work we can all do for our people. Thank you, colleagues. Now let's get to business.

Ministers' statements. Mr. Premier.