Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about the challenges we face as northern people and safety on the land. This is a great time of year to be out on the land. At least back home, the fish are running. The char are going out to see. Snow geese are nesting. Murres and ducks are coming back to nest on the cliffs. The young seals are sunbathing on the ice and people are whale hunting out on the floe. School is out in most of the communities and families are heading out in spring and summer camps.

Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, too many accidents are happening every year that could be avoided. Mr. Speaker, I would like to caution everyone to be careful while enjoying the traditional activities out on the land and outdoors, particularly at this time of year when the weather can be deceiving. It can be a warm and sunny day, but the water is extremely cold. Hypothermia can happen very quickly, as I found out last weekend when I was out in my kayak. Most of the time, Mr. Speaker, I can get up again. But I was shocked to discover how cold the water is when you tip over. My body went numb. Thankfully, I was wearing a lifejacket and I was travelling with experienced paddlers who rescued me before I was overcome by the cold water. It took the rest of the day for my body to warm itself.

Accidents can be prevented, Mr. Speaker, if people take time to prepare before heading out. People must remember to let other people know where they are going and when they expect to return. Travellers on the land must learn to anticipate dangerous situations and avoid them at all costs. Back home when hunting along the floe, the ice sometimes breaks off. The hunters find themselves...Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude.

Mr. Chairman, how is this amendment different from the original? Could somebody explain to me what the differences are between the motion and the bill?

Mr. Chairman, if I understand the motion correctly, it won't change any part of the bill that is in front of us. It merely recommends that Members of the 13th Legislative Assembly consider making amendments. That's as far as it goes. I wonder if I could ask our legal advisor what this motion means. I'm not a legal person, but it is my understanding that it doesn't change anything in this bill and merely makes a recommendation, and that it would be entirely up to the 13th Assembly to either change or not change Bill 32.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, since the government will give this bill to the Standing Committee on Legislation after second reading, I will allow that to happen, so there will be more views expressed.

---Applause

So I would like the committee to explore the pros and cons of this legislation.

I have been listening with great interest to what Members have to say about this bill and I would like to hear more about it. However, if we don't pass it to second reading, we can't do that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with respect to the proposed bill, I would like the proposed bill to be explored more in our Assembly. We have a committee process in this Legislature.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is, would the departments that require work to be done in the communities and ask the GLOs to do it for them, be able to contribute to the cost of having a GLO in a community? Thank you.