Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to thank the Members, Ministers and you, Mr. Speaker, for time spent on important issues. Sitting in session so close to the holidays enables us to focus on 2012 and to better serve the people of the Northwest Territories.
We have so much business to tend to. We as a government need to humble ourselves when we are faced with challenges. We need to stay positive and work directly with and for a stronger territory. As we break for the holiday season and go back to our ridings, keep in mind the day-to-day business we still have to resolve when we come back in the new year.
All of our ideas, suggestions and comments will come together and we will agree on important issues we are dealt with. I want to remind the Members that many of our traditional communities in the past were people who would gather in the nearest village, and feast and dance to celebrate the holidays. Children would receive clothing as gifts and treasured memories were shared.
Today I would like to acknowledge the people of Fort McPherson. They continue the tradition. The chief and his wife on New Year’s morning will gather as many people as they can and welcome the New Year by walking door to door and shaking hands and best wishes for 2012.
I want to wish my colleagues a safe and happy holiday season. To spend time with families is so precious. Take time to visit the elders, say hello to everyone and keep in mind the less fortunate. I pray that everyone in the territory will have a joyful and spiritual Christmas. All the best for 2012. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Member’s statement today is meant to provide an update, as a new Member, on what has happened in the last few days and few months in this Assembly.
I’d like to thank all my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly for the first couple of months. It has been an exciting experience so far. I look forward to the New Year and the rest of our term.
As all of us came here as 19 Members, we came to the 17th Assembly as community leaders. Now we have become Speaker, Premier, Cabinet Ministers, chairpersons, assistant chairpersons and committee members. With all these roles we have begun to work for the people of the Northwest Territories.
I look forward to continuing to work for the people of Hay River as one of their MLAs. I have begun to work on many of the issues that have come forward from the election. In the New Year I will work on issues for Hay River: the need for permanent doctors, the improvement of the economy for Hay River, look to get dredging of the Hay River. To improve and to continue Hay River as a major shipping area in the North, dredging will also help the safety of the Hay River during the spring break-up and will also help access to the local fishing industry.
In the coming years I want to continue to work with my community and such groups as the town council, chamber, DEA, community groups and all residents of Hay River.
I would like to commend the Speaker, Mr. Premier, the Cabinet Ministers and all Members for taking on a great start to the 17th Assembly.
As the Christmas season is now here, we need to be thankful for what we have. I want to wish all the people in the Northwest Territories a happy holiday and I hope to have a great year. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. The Member for the Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
