Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to do my best with a verse here that we worked out this morning.
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through this House
Not a Member was stirring, not even a mouse.
The coffers were built in warehouses with care,
In hopes the Finance Minister soon would be there.
The Members were comfy, all snug in their chairs,
While visions of schoolhouses danced in their heads.
And I in my moose hide, and Jane in her wrap,
Had just steadied our brains, for a whole new load…
Oh, and just a moment, Mr. Speaker. That’s a whole new load of promises, Mr. Speaker.
---Laughter
I’ll go on.
While outside the Assembly there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
Away to the foyer I flew like a flash,
Not even a pause for a snack or some mash.
Then what to my wandering eyes should construe
But a tiny little sled, and eight frisky caribou.
They’d escaped from their herd, so lively and quick,
Enlisted by Milty for a capital flick.
The crafty old driver was a man in his prime,
I knew then it was Bob, turning on a dime.
More rapid than bison his Ministers they came,
And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name.
Now Robert! Now Glen! Now Jackson and Milty!
On Tom! On Dave! And don’t look so guilty!
---Laughter
Pass Committee Room A! And the Caucus Room too!
Now dash away! Dash away! Don’t leave ‘em a sou!
The Members were reeling, their jaws had gone slack,
The outrageous slight was a downright attack.
What about Colville, and toilets that flush?
And more cops, and houses – Clearly, no rush!
The potholes still deep on old Highway 7,
And the dollars were building a bridge close to heaven.
The chipseal still crumbling, the fracking went on,
And Members were rumbling, “This is just not on!”
But Bob was so wily, and his Ministers too,
They had a few goodies, and a little good news.
Here, a health centre, there, bits of gravel,
A highway to Tuk for year-round travel.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
Guffawing and laughing, “Oh! What a spoof!”
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Out of the chimney our Premier did bound.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled our coffers, then turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his sled, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down on a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he dashed out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, for your patience with my humble verse.
---Applause
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
