Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes, because this was leading up to the previous election, there was a lot of training, as well, that the Chief Electoral Officer put forward, especially in the communities, with the returning officers. That had a lot to do with it, plus bringing on staff, as I mentioned. That took a lot of it. The changes that were being proposed, the Chief Electoral Officer, are consistent with what she requested. Thank you.

Thank you, great question. Actually, we will still have on staff our Chief Electoral Officer, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, and also a part-time position. Leading up to the next election, we’ll see all these positions put out again and fully staffed. With the positions that we will have on staff, that will conclude the post-election work that is required, so we’ll have, actually, three staff on, well, two and a half, actually.

Yes, thank you. That falls under Members' operating expenses. The total amount is actually $67,000 for CA benefits, and that's through NEBS, which comes out of the budget, your constituency budget. Thank you.

Colleagues, I would like to congratulate one of my constituents, Ms. JenniLee Vaneltsi-Pascal, on becoming a contestant on the Food Network's new show Wall of Chefs, which aired last night, February 10, 2020. Along with four other home cooks from across Canada, she competed in a cook-off for $10,000. Originally from Fort McPherson, JenniLee, a busy mother of three, is currently living in Tsiigehtchic overseeing the daycare. Taking part in this series, JenniLee has drawn awareness to the protection of the Porcupine caribou herd as well as the protection of the Peel River watershed. It is a...

Colleagues, staff, and friends, it is my duty to advise this House of the passing of Ms. Haylee Carlson, who passed away yesterday, February 9, 2020. Ms. Carlson has been an employee of the Legislative Assembly for more than 16 years, but more than that, she has been a friend to us. She became family to us. On behalf of the Assembly, I extend our condolences to her family and friends. Colleagues, please join me in a moment of silence.

---Moment of silence

Good morning, colleagues. We have a personal explanation from the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Colleagues, this is a special day for a number of reasons. Obviously, it's the last day of the First Session of the 19th Legislative Assembly, and we will take some time to celebrate that later this afternoon. Before that, I'd like to take, first, a few minutes to shed light on the career of the Legislative Assembly's longest-serving and most deeply respected official, Mr. Darrin Ouellette. Early next year, Darrin will retire from a career of over 25 years with the NWT public service and the Legislative Assembly.

Prior to joining our team for the first time as operations assistant clerk during...

Colleagues, on December 1, 2019, Persis Gruben of Tuktoyaktuk passed away at the age of 101 years old. Persis was a much-loved and respected elder to all the people of the Beaufort Delta. She was born on the Peel River near Fort McPherson on October 20, 1918. Although she was born Gwich'in, she was welcomed into the Inuvialuit culture with open arms. Persis was the oldest living person in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. When she was died, she was the last survivor of the Shingle Point residential school.

Colleagues, please join me in expressing the condolences of this House to the family and...

Thank you, Ms. Snowshoe, for the prayer today. Ms. Snowshoe is one of my elders from Fort McPherson. Mahsi cho.

Members, interpreters, visitors in the gallery, and Pages, as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, it is my honour to welcome you here today during this holiday season.

It is the darkest time of the year, but I had the honour of lighting up the Assembly last week as part of Christmas Lights Across Canada. Thank you to all of the Yellowknife, Detah, and Ndilo kindergarten students who came to the Legislative Assembly to decorate the Christmas trees.

Also, thank you to the schools across...

Thank you, Members, for the trust you have put in me as your Speaker. I will do my very best to uphold that trust.

Colleagues, we have elected the first gender-balanced legislature in Canada. We have elected the only sitting female Premier in Canada, and we have elected the only majority female Cabinet in

Canada. This is truly an Assembly that will go down in history, and I am grateful that you have given me the opportunity to serve as your Speaker.

I heard it said during the campaign that the role of Speaker is largely ceremonial. Those of you who have worked in the Legislative Assembly before...