Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion. I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of the Government of Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, be amended on page 22 by deleting the words “We commit to assisting community governments as they innovate to address efficiency and conservation, address climate change by supporting the development of community government capital plans and asset planning, and ensure training recognizes the challenges of climate change” and inserting the words, “We will assist community governments to improve energy efficiency and conservation to reduce the impact of climate change by supporting development of community governments capital and asset plans to ensure training includes challenges related to climate change and enable community governments to set up revolving funds for energy efficiency measures.” Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and with respect to the previous speaker's comments, I'd like to indicate that, as a small business owner, I'll find myself in support of the motion. More and more we're seeing in the North small businesses are seeing growing overheads, I am grateful for the current GNWT entrepreneurial support. That's certainly greatly appreciated. However, a tax reduction will be supportive of small business revenue growth, and that ultimately supports hiring and training and again, supports economic growth. I see this as an incentive for the growth of small business and I will be in support. Thank you.

I'd like to welcome Karen Johnson, a Yellowknife North resident, here to the House. She's very involved with the Yellowknife Ski Club and World Snow Day, and is also the mother of one of our Pages, Niva Stephenson.

One final question, then I'll stop picking on the Minister. We know that even if there are services available, some victims may not know how to reach out and get help. Can the Minister advise us what supports are available to help students who are being bullied and feel isolated?

I thank the Minister for his answer. We know that awareness is one of the key tools to combating bullying. Can the Minister tell the Assembly what kinds of public promotion the department has taken to demonstrate that bullying is not okay?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, you wouldn't know that it's anti-bullying day today the way that we're picking on the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, but he's being a trooper and we thank him. Can the Minister provide the House with some information on how the Department of Education, Culture, and Employment works with DECs and DEAs to make sure that schools are safe environments for students, teachers, and visitors to the schools.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As everyone is aware, it's Education Week in the NWT and today is National Pink Shirt Day, a day set aside to combat bullying. Thank you to Minister Moses for his Minister’s statement today. Bullying is a serious problem for some people. It can start at a very young age in schools, and it can have a hundred reasons, but there are no good reasons for bullying. Bullying is just a matter of meanness to someone who is perceived as being a little different or weak. As we heard, Pink Shirt Day started when two high school students in Nova Scotia witnessed a grade 9 boy being bullied in school for wearing a pink shirt. It gave them an idea to stand with the victim, so they went to a discount store and bought 50 pink T-shirts which they distributed to their classmates the next day. The bullies were never heard from again. That kind of kindness and inclusiveness to our peers and colleagues is an important message. The slogan of National Pink Shirt Day is “kindness is one size fits all.” We may think bullying takes place in only schools, but bullying can also take place in the workplace, in the home, or on the Internet. Bullying can affect people of different ages in all walks of life and can be based on personality traits, social awkwardness, sexual orientation, or any number of other factors. Last year, the Department of Health and Social Services and the NWT Helpline put together the You Are Not Alone video in support of people who face challenges of mental illness often related to trauma, violence or bullying. There's also the It Gets Better Yellowknife project, which strives to make things better for queer youth, a demographic that suffers a shockingly high rate of suicide. All these initiatives are aimed at letting people know that we all have tough times, but that there's help available and that things do get better. While bullying is everywhere, some of our most vulnerable citizens are kids in schools. For that reason, school-based initiatives are especially important. During Education Week I believe it's important to emphasize that our schools must be inclusive places where each student feels safe and secure and where his or her value as a human being is recognized and upheld. Mr. Speaker, I will seek unanimous consent to continue my Member’s statement. ---Unanimous consent granted.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. We must recognize and support our teachers who dedicate their professional lives to the welfare and success of our young people, and we must always be vigilant and courageous in confronting bullying wherever and whenever it emerges. At the appropriate time I'll have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I give notice that on Thursday, February 25, 2016 I will move the following motion: Now therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Mr. Adrian Wright be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for appointment as Member of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel, effective immediately, for a term of four years.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lastly, I would like to know how the Department of Transportation is working to identify funding for these important construction projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.