Jackie Jacobson

Good afternoon, colleagues. Before we get started I’d like to welcome Mr. Tony Whitford, former Commissioner, Speaker, Minister, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Honourary Table Clerk here in the House. Welcome back, Tony.

Yes, I do.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly; and I have Mr. Darrin Ouellette, director of corporate services.

Members, pursuant to Motion 15-17(1) adopted by the House on Wednesday, December 7, 2011, you have agreed to interrupt our proceedings to receive the Address of His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. Mr. Clerk, please escort His Excellency into the Chamber.

Members and honoured guests, welcome to the Legislative Assembly. When we rise for the entrance of Their Excellencies, please remain standing for a drum prayer by the Detah Drummers and singing of the national anthem by Mr. John Escalante.

---Drum Prayer

---Singing of O Canada

Welcome back to the Chamber, colleagues, to resume the First Session of the 17th Legislative Assembly.

During the month of November we met often and spent many productive hours working together, taking part in departmental briefings, identifying issues and concerns facing our territory, setting up constituency offices and staff, and becoming familiar with new portfolios.

We are forming relationships, recognizing strengths and building on the knowledge and information that has been provided – all very important as we carry out our work over the next four years.

I look forward to working with all...

It’s pretty good here.

---Laughter

Thank you, colleagues. Today I wish to begin by welcoming everyone to the Chamber today as we open the 17th Legislative Assembly. I’d like to extend my sincere thank you, on behalf of all Members, to the Dettah Drummers for their prayer song, to the Most Reverend Murray Chatlain, Bishop of the Dioceses of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, for leading us in prayer, and to Mr. Floyd Adlum of the NWT Pipe Band.

Honourable colleagues, I would like to thank you all for the trust you have placed in me by choosing me to serve as your Speaker for the 17th Legislative Assembly. As...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to welcome my two daughters here, Kirstin and Mikayla, that are with me here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my last Member’s statement is what we need for Nunakput.

---Laughter

Well, I’ve got my list here. Three pages.

Mr. Speaker, projects are the Darnley Bay diamond mine exploration project and an all-season road to Tuktoyaktuk must be jeopardized or injured due to the election. These economic projects are important for the NWT and the region. The executive needs to ensure that progress continues to the next team, the necessities to get the job done.

Mr. Speaker, we need the jobs in the Beaufort-Delta.

Building the infrastructure of the roads is critical to growing...

Mr. Speaker, with the project, all of the regulatory processes are in place for 177. With the money starting, I mean, with the 17th Legislative Assembly over a four-year term, I won’t say the numbers, but it’s doable, and I hope to be here to push it through. At the end of the day, from 177 to Tuk, we have no work in the community this winter. All we’re going to have is the ice road. The ice road work that is yearly, $600,000 a year. The government has to try to stimulate the economy up north.

All I’m asking for is if we’re sure of the federal government’s commitment for the $150 million, would...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Listening to my colleague Mr. Bromley bring it up before, and in my Member’s statement regarding the news that we had from the Prime Minister today, my questions are asked to the Department of Transportation. What are the chances of seeing if we could get extra funding this year to start from the Tuk side to kilometre 22 on extra funding to bring it up to 90 kilometre standards to get work in the community of Tuk and to bring outside people in the riding from Inuvik, such as Sachs Harbour and Paulatuk, to get jobs in the community? What are the chances of that?