Good afternoon. Please join me in thanking elder Sarah Cleary for her opening words and blessing today.

February is Indigenous language month and I look forward to hearing these languages spoken each day. Before we begin, I want to acknowledge the tragedy that took place in Fort Smith on January 23rd. A plane crash claimed the lives of six Northerners, leaving one survivor. Our residents and communities are connected to one another. When one community hurts, we all hurt. But the reverse holds true. When a community needs healing, we come together to help heal. It is my hope that Fort Smith and the friends and families of everyone involved feel the support of this House. Also, I want to thank the first responders who assisted with rescue operations.

Members, today we will continue the first session of the 20th Assembly. Eighty-four days ago, we were elected. Since that time, we have been learning our new roles and working to advance what is important to our residents. Your motivation to make meaningful change for residents of the Northwest Territories is exciting. Next week, we will set the priorities of the 20th Assembly. I am confident the priorities chosen will reflect the needs of this territory and clearly lay out a map forward for this Assembly.

When I became the Speaker, I called for thoughtful, meaningful, and honest debate. We all have different perspectives. This requires respect and understanding. There will of course be challenges but I am certain we will rise above them.

I also want to comment on His Majesty the King's cancer diagnosis. As head of state, this House wishes him well. Cancer touches us all. The King's openness about his cancer encourages us to talk about it and support each other as we face personal health challenges.

Members, it is my pleasure to inform you that we have interpretation services for the following official languages, and I apologize if I say the pronouncements wrong.

• Dene Suline Yati,
• Inuvialuktun,
• Inuktitut,
• Innuinnaqtun,
• Dene Kede,
• Dene Zhatie,
• Dinjii Zhu Ginjik,
• Tlicho Yati, and
• French

And again, I apologize if I mispronounced the words. It is an honour to receive these services from such dedicated interpreters. Members, please remember to speak slowly and clearly for our interpreters.

As I said earlier, February is Indigenous language month. All month, the Assembly's social media will highlight unique words and phrases from our nine Indigenous official languages. We are proud to celebrate our linguistic diversity. Speaking a language, even a single word, breathes life into our cultural heritage.

Members, please also welcome our pages to the Chamber. Our youth are the future. We are pleased to have you here with us in this House. I also want to thank the youth from Ecole William MacDonald School in Yellowknife for singing Oh Canada in English, French and Tlicho.

I received the following correspondence from the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom. It states:

Dear, Mr. Speaker. I wish to advise that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories the passage of Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2024-2025; Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2023-2024; Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 3, 2023-2024, during the first session of the 20th Legislative Assembly.

Now colleagues, let's rock and roll; let's get down to business. Ministers' statements. Premier.