Jackson Lafferty

Colleagues, good afternoon. On behalf of the Assembly, I would like to thank Elder Muriel Betsina of Ndilo for joining us today and leading us in prayer. I'd like to say masi to her.

Colleagues, it is my pleasure to welcome you back to the Chamber to resume the Second Session of 18th Legislative Assembly.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish good luck to all of the candidates who are seeking election in upcoming Tlicho community government elections in the communities of Bechoko, Whati, Gameti, and Wekweti. Members, as you know, it is not always easy to run for public office, and I...

I would like to say Masi to our elder for our opening prayer. Elder Mary Louise Drygeese from Detah.

Masi, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, this obviously was brought to our attention and, as we were going through our budgeting process, the requests came in and, at this point, we are deferring until probably the next budget process. It is not working, at this point, with the budget. At the same time, we will seriously consider for the next budgeting process. Masi.

Masi, Mr. Chair. These are 2017-2018 Estimates for the Legislative Assembly. The Assembly is seeking out operating expenditures for corporations of $19,336,000 for 2017-18. This represents a zero per cent change from 2016-2017 Main Estimates. There was a 4.8 per cent decrease from actual expenditures in the 2015-16 fiscal year. Although we are proposing no change in the level of funding for our 2017-18 budget, there are a number of significant initiatives that our Legislative Assembly is planning to undertake.

In the upcoming fiscal year, the Legislative Assembly will establish an independent...

Masi. To my right, I have Tim Mercer, clerk of the Legislative Assembly. To my left, Darrin Ouellette, director of corporate services.

Good afternoon, colleagues. Colleagues, today marks the 52nd Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada. It was on February 15, 1965, that our Canadian flag first flew above our nation's capital. Our national flag has been flown with pride since that day.

In 1996, February 15th was declared National Flag of Canada Day to commemorate and celebrate what has become one of the most iconic and recognizable flags across the world.

Not only is our flag recognized the world over as a symbol of this great country, but it is associated with the rights, freedoms, and ideals that we embrace as Canadians...

Masi. Please be seated. Colleagues, on behalf of the Assembly I would like to thank Elder Be'sha Blondin for joining us today and leading us into prayer. Masi for that.

Before we begin today, I would like to take this opportunity to extend condolences to this House, our members and our staff, to all those affected by the recent tragedy in Quebec City. I was deeply saddened when I heard of this deplorable attack as I know we are all impacted. As a sign of our collective sorrow and loss, flags are being flown at halfmast at the Assembly, throughout the territory, and throughout the country.

Colle...

Good afternoon, colleagues. Colleagues, before we commence our proceedings today, I wish to speak briefly about the difficult issue of childhood cancer. As we all know, children's cancer is not a rare disease. It has touched so many lives. In fact, 1,500 Canadian children will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone, and more than 10,000 kids are living with cancer in Canada today.

Although September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Canada, our House was not sitting, and I wish to take this opportunity now to spread awareness of this dreaded disease and its impacts on our lives and those...

Good afternoon, colleagues. Colleagues, in support of our Take Our Kids to Work Day we have Riley Menard, daughter of Cheryl Menard our finance manager. Today, Riley will be assisting our table officers, so please join me in welcoming Riley to our house.

Masi. Colleagues, on behalf of the Assembly, I'll let you proceed with this session. Thank you, Mr. Blake, for the opening prayer. I'm pleased to welcome you back to the Chamber, to reconvene a 2nd session of the Legislative Assembly.

At this time, colleagues, I'm saddened to announce that Mr. Bryan Pearson passed away yesterday, October 12, 2016. Mr. Pearson was first elected to 7th Council of the Northwest Territories on December 21, 1970 to represent the Eastern Arctic. In 1975 he was re-elected to an 8th Council at the Northwest Territories. On behalf of the Assembly, I offer sincere...