Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take this opportunity to profile an organization of benefit to all NWT residents. Forty years ago, two far-seeing and forward-thinking northern leaders had an idea for a sporting event for northern athletes. With the assistance of Alaska Governor Walter Hickel, then-Commissioners Stuart Hodgson of the NWT and James Smith of Yukon developed the idea into a concept and the Arctic Winter Games were born. The very first Arctic Winter Games were held in Yellowknife in 1970.

Members should all be aware by now that Yellowknife and the NWT will be invaded in a few months as the Arctic Winter Games return to Yellowknife for a 20th anniversary

games and homecoming celebration hosted by the 2008 Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

The games have grown considerably over the years from 500 participants in 1970 to 2,000 in 2008, from three jurisdictions in 1970 to nine in 2008, from only northern North America in 1970 to the northern world in 2008. There are five Canadian contingents: one from Alaska, the one from Russia in the area of Yamal, and Greenland, and the Sami of Finland and Norway.

The catering contract for these upcoming games provides for 23 meals for 2,200 people for eight days. During the week of March 9th to 15th , 2008, not only will Yellowknife’s

population swell by the number of participants, but the games will bring in 200 or more media, 500 or more VIPs and corporate sponsors, and anywhere between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors and spectators. About 2,500 volunteers, both local and visitors, will ensure that the games go off without a hitch.

The NWT will showcase the athletic and cultural talents of our young people. The economy will boom for several weeks as Yellowknife’s temporary residents spend their money in the NWT economy. Our young people will strive to do their best, have new experiences, meet new friends,

meet old acquaintances, and the benefits to our communities from this event are absolutely undeniable.

So, Mr. Speaker, I say to all Members of this House, and indeed to all northerners, that this unique celebration of northern sport and culture is one which is best enjoyed when immersed in it. I encourage all Members to take part…

Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 46(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that the Legislative Assembly shall elect a Deputy Speaker;

AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly wishes to appoint a Deputy Speaker;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. David Krutko, be appointed as Deputy Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice of earlier today.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very gratified to this motion coming before the House. I fully support this motion. As I look at the Members’ Conduct Guidelines, similar to the previous several Speakers, there are a number of words that jump out at me. Within our guidelines, it talks about fair, just, respect, honour, courtesy, duty, integrity and responsibility, just to name a few of them. I think it behoves all of us to take these conduct guidelines, that we must accept them. I agree that we need to lead by example and I think as well as agreeing to the letter of this particular set of guidelines, we have to live them and we have to honour the law within these particular guidelines.

It is our responsibility to respect, honour each other, this House, this institution, the people that we serve. I think that I get a sense that every Member in this House is likely to support this motion and I would strongly urge you to do so, if you aren’t already considering that. Thank you very much.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, October 22, 2007, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, that the honourable Member for Mackenzie Delta, Mr. David Krutko, be appointed as Deputy Speaker. As well, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion today. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Miltenberger has stolen my thunder; I was going to recognize the interns, as well. I would like to welcome you -- if we want to carry on from yesterday -- from this side of the House; you've been recognized from the other side. I would like to specifically recognize my son who is an intern with Aboriginal Affairs. Welcome, Perry.

---Applause

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a couple of distinguished guests we have with us today: the president of the NWT Association of Communities and the executive director, Mr. Gord Van Tighem and Ms. Yvette Gonzalez. I would also like to recognize the president of the NWT Teachers' Association and executive director, Ms. Amanda Mallon and Dave Roebuck. I hope I remembered rightly. Thank you.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to take this opportunity, as well, to thank the constituents of Frame Lake who voted for me and put me into this particular office. I'd also like to give thanks to the other candidates, Mr. Jeff Groenewegen and Mr. Chris Johnston, who ran against me in opposition. As has been stated, they gave up much for the months of August and September in order to run for election. I need to thank, as well, all those who assisted me with my campaign: my campaign coordinator, my official agent, all the volunteers who assisted with the campaign and, in particular, my team of advisors.

I have to give special note to an import, a dear friend of mine who came north for one month to assist me with the campaign and proved to be absolutely invaluable.

Without Marg Hall I doubt if I would have been successful.

Last but not least, I need to thank my family. In the North, me being an import, I am from away but not from Newfoundland. In the North, your friends tend to become your family and I need to thank those of my northern family who were totally supportive of me in my campaign.

The election results in Frame Lake were more than I'd hoped for and I feel very honoured to have such confidence shown in me. At the risk of being repetitive, I need to extend congratulations to you, Mr. Speaker, to the Premier, and to the members of the Executive Council who have been recently elected, and I look forward to working with all of you for the betterment of the Northwest Territories.

On the occasion of the opening of this 16th Legislative

Assembly, it's such a privilege for me to be here. The Premier mentioned yesterday that it's a humbling experience and I agree totally. This wonderful institution and this building, as I enter it daily, I still am in awe and I find it very hard to believe that when I walk in here, I'm walking to work, I am coming to my office.

This is a new challenge for me. I'm excited for it; I'm looking forward to it. I look at the Members assembled in this House and I see great opportunity. I think that we can do good; I think that we can achieve results; and I think if we work together, it will be for the betterment of the NWT and all of our residents. Thank you.

---Applause