Frederick Blake Jr.

Good morning, colleagues. The Member for Monfwi has asked to address the Chamber, and I will give the floor to the Member. Member for Monfwi.

Colleagues, before we begin, I just want to thank you the CPHO and the Department of Health for the great news today for the Beaufort Delta. Everybody up in the Delta is very happy now that they get to travel to the Yukon so I am sure Canadian Tire and everything will be empty by next week.

Members, the flags at the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly have been lowered in recognition of the 215 Indigenous children who died at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

I ask that all Members join me in a moment of silence in remembrance of the 215 Indigenous children who died at the Kamloops school, all residential schools, and give your thoughts to those who survived.

Moment of Silence

I remind everyone to take the Government of the Northwest Territories' Living Well Together cultural awareness program. It provides a valuable and muchneeded education on the lasting effects of...

Members, I ask that you please remain standing. Since we last met, his Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, passed away. The Prince had a strong connection to Canada and visited the Territories from Inuvik in the North to Fort Smith in the South. The Prince even visited this very Chamber. On behalf of the Assembly, I offer our condolences to Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the Royal Family. I ask that you please join me in a moment of silence in honouring of his passing.

---Moment of silence

Members, the Government of Canada has designated today, March 11, 2021, as a National Day of Observance to commemorate the people who lost their lives and the significant impacts we have all felt because of COVID-19. The Northwest Territories has been spared much of the loss experienced across Canada, but we have not been spared from the negative effects of the virus. We have all made sacrifices to keep the Northwest Territories safe from COVID-19.

Today, we lower our flags in honour of those we have lost and the sacrifices we have all made in our common fight against COVID-19. I ask Members to...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll turn this over to Ms. Wickens.

Thank you. I'll turn this over to Ms. Wickens.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Directly behind me, we have Ms. Kim Wickens, director of corporate services, and also Acting Clerk Glen Rutland. Thank you.

Yes, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2021-2022 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly. Overall, the Legislative Assembly's estimates propose an increase of $1,723,000 or 7.6 percent over the 2020-2021 Main Estimates.

These estimates represent the important work we will undertake during the upcoming fiscal year and focus on the following four overarching priorities:

addressing the need for additional office space within the Office of the Clerk as a result of an increase in staff;

being responsive to our statutory obligations with the establishment of the independent commission to...

Thank you. I'll turn this over to Ms. Wickens. Thank you.