Frederick Blake Jr.

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

Members, I begin this day with the sharing of sad news. The honourable David Searle, the first elected Speaker of this Legislative Assembly, passed away on March 1, 2021. He was 85 years old. Mr. Searle was born in Edmonton but moved to Yellowknife when he was a child and always considered himself a Northerner at heart.

Mr. Searle worked at the Cominco Gold Mine before attending the University of Alberta and serving in the Royal Canadian Army Reserve. Mr. Searle received his law degree at the University of Alberta in 1961 and returned north. He started what was to become the largest law firm in...

Colleagues, before we begin today, I just wanted to say a few words. As Speaker of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, I wish to convey my condolences to the family of Darius Elias, the Vuntut Gwitchin people, and the Yukon Legislative Assembly. A celebration of life for Mr. Elias is being held this afternoon in Whitehorse.

Mr. Elias served as MLA for the Vuntut Gwitchin riding in Yukon for 10 years. He also served as deputy chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin. His riding included the community of Old Crow, a part of the Yukon with deep connections to the Gwich'in people and communities of...

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Members, welcome back to the Legislative Assembly. It is a new year. I know many residents celebrated the end of 2020 as it was such a long and difficult year. However, while 2021 has brought us a vaccine and a light at the end of the COVID tunnel, we are not through this yet. I want to thank all those involved in the vaccine rollout. I also want to thank those residents who have taken the vaccine. Saying yes to the vaccine is saying yes to protecting our elders, families, and friends.

Members, our Legislative Assembly remains closed to members of the public. We sit in a modified Chamber to...

Colleagues, please be seated. Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, is ready to enter the Chamber, and to assent bills? Thank you.

Colleagues, before we begin, I just want to say a few words. Today is a difficult day in Fort McPherson. We have a funeral there for Deborah Kendi Blake. Thoughts and prayers are with the community. During these times, our communities, especially here in the North really pull together to help one another. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there today as I usually am when I can be. Just know that we're thinking of you all, especially through the days ahead. Keep them in prayers. Mahsi.

Colleagues, before we begin, I would just like to ask you to join me in wishing our colleague, Minister Green, a very happy birthday. I would not say how many years.

---Applause

Members, as your Speaker, it is my pleasure to welcome you back to the Legislative Assembly today. Our Chamber remains physically distanced, and we continue to operate in this COVID-19 environment. I want to thank all Members for their cooperation. Although physically distanced from each other, we must continue to work together. That is how we can best serve the people who elected us to represent them. I look forward to the debate and discussion you will have over the next few weeks. These decisions will have a direct effect on our residents.

I remind all Members to conduct themselves in...

Members, welcome back to the Legislative Assembly. Thank you for being here today.

Motion 10-19(2) grants me the authority to recall the House before October 15, 2020, if, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, I am satisfied the public interest would be served by meeting. Last week, prior to giving notice of this recall, I consulted with the Members of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council and was convinced that the public interest required this House to sit.

As you know, last Wednesday, the Premier revoked the Member for Great Slave...