Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my wife, Judy, and my sister-in-law Sharla. I would also like to recognize William Greenland and Sandra Ipana. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, congratulate you on your acclamation as Speaker. I also congratulate all the new and returning Members. I congratulate Premier-elect Roland and the other Members of Cabinet. I thank the Members who voted for me.

I am very honoured to be here in the Legislative Assembly as the elected representative for Yellowknife South. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my constituents who put their trust in me. I especially want to thank my wife, Melody; my son, Warren; and his wife, Shannon; and my two grandsons, my two wonderful grandsons, Carter and Cooper, for their unconditional love and support. To my friends and all the hardworking volunteers, supporters and advisors, they put a lot of effort into my campaign. Thank you for your hard work and for believing in me. I especially want to thank my campaign manager, Darrell Bohnet, and official agent, Sue Heron-Herbert. I also express gratitude for the unsuccessful candidates who had the courage and strength to pursue a seat of this riding.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of Yellowknife South, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Brendan Bell for two terms of service as elected MLA. I also thank the Legislative Assembly team for welcoming us and making us feel at home. Thanks again to the constituents of Yellowknife South. I will serve you to the best of my abilities.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, running for public office is not an easy thing to do and it’s something that I’m sure all of you in here put a great deal of thought into it. I think you’ll find that when you talk to most people that run for public office, it’s not as hard on them as it is on their family. With that, I have to thank my wife, Judy, for her continued support.

I have to thank the people who worked hard on my campaign. Three years ago I ran in the by-election and I had a few people jump on board and support me throughout the by-election, and more so in this recent election that we just went through. I have to admire their loyalty and their belief in me.

I don’t intend to let them down, Mr. Speaker. I will be down here. I’ve told the people in Inuvik that I will be down here pounding the table, bringing their issues forward. It’s a personal sacrifice that we and our families make and it’s a sacrifice in more ways than one to be on this side pounding the table, making sure our issues are brought to the forefront.

I want to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, in your selection and I’m sure today, being the first day of session, you’re going to cut us a little slack. I’d also like to congratulate Mr. Roland on his election as Premier. The Cabinet Ministers, I’d like to congratulate you on your appointments to Cabinet later on this afternoon. My Social Programs colleagues, I’ll be holding the fort on this side of the House for you.

This is a big day, Mr. Speaker, for the Members of Cabinet. They’re all being sworn in later on today. I thought it was best that we just do the thank you today. After today, you will be sworn in, and starting tomorrow we’re going to be all over you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Laughter

---Applause