Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2012-2013 Main Estimates for the Legislative Assembly.

The Legislative Assembly is seeking funding this year of $18.508 million. This constitutes a decrease of 5.3 percent from last year’s budget. The decrease is caused mostly by the sunsetting of election year and transition expenses and the paying down of the building mortgage for the Assembly.

I am pleased to report that the Assembly will make its last mortgage payment on the Assembly building this month.

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We will take full ownership of the building from the society next summer and...

Good afternoon, colleagues. Today before we start, I’d just like to say happy Inuvialuit Day. It was yesterday. They signed their land claims 28 years ago. So to all the people in the communities, happy Inuvialuit Day in the Beaufort-Delta.

Could I have the report of Committee of the Whole, please? Ms. Bisaro.

Mr. Hawkins.

Good morning, colleagues. It is with great pleasure today and an honour to have with us today both of our Legislative Assembly’s honourary table officers. We have with us today Mr. Dave Hamilton, former Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.

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And Mr. Anthony W.J. Whitford, also known as Tony –

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Good afternoon, colleagues. Colleagues, before we begin today, I’d like to comment on the attire of some of our Members. Our guests in the gallery and those watching at home will notice that many of the Members are wearing pink today.

This is in recognition of Anti-Bullying Day, or Pink Shirt Day, which is designated as the last Friday in February.

Pink Shirt Day started as a protest against a bullying incident at a Nova Scotia high school. Wearing pink is one way to support this cause, but the best way is to teach our children that it is okay to be different and it is not okay to bully or to be...

Good afternoon, colleagues. Members, before we begin today, I’d like to draw your attention to the Canadian flags on your desks. February 15th has been declared National Flag Day of Canada.

It was on this day in 1965 that a flag with the first red and white maple leaf design flew proudly over Parliament Hill.

Our flag, with its distinctive maple leaf, is recognized all over the world as the flag of a people who cherish the ideals of democracy, freedom and respect.

I know we don’t see any maple trees in this part of the Canada, but we proudly fly our Canadian flag all across the Northwest...

Members, it’s Valentine’s Day today. I wish each of you and all the people of the Northwest Territories a Happy Valentine’s Day. The House normally sits on Valentine’s Day and I know that’s hard for some of the Members who come from the communities into Yellowknife and we can’t be with our loved ones today. I want to take this opportunity to wish my wife, Jenny, the love of my life, a Happy Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day, hon. I can’t wait to see you this weekend. It’s going to be good.

Good afternoon, colleagues. I’d like to acknowledge a former Member who passed away, a former scholar, activist and politician, Robert Williamson. He passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Mr. Williamson was the first elected Member for a newly formed Keewatin riding, later known as the Central Arctic riding. He was a member of the 5th and 6th Assemblies of the NWT Council from 1966 to 1970.

Mr. Williamson was born in England, November 2, 1931, and immigrated to Canada in 1952.

He began his long career in the North in the community of Fort Simpson where he started recording...

Mr. Clerk, would you please ascertain if His Honour, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George Tuccaro, is ready to enter the Chamber for the Second Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly.