Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will speak extra loudly today. Mr. Speaker, earlier, this Legislative Assembly announced the appointment of the first members of our new Cultural Enhancement Commission, which I have the honour of chairing, as Deputy Speaker of this House.

As Members know, the Legislative Assembly was built prior to the division of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and, of course, it was reflective of the NWT at the time. Following division, during the 14th Assembly, there was some concern about how representative the building was of the cultures of the new NWT and there was a general recognition of a need for a more coordinated approach to cultural enhancement.

This includes things that we usually think of, like art work and displays of traditional crafts, but also involves things like the landscaping around the building and the impression that people get as they come in the front entrance. Of all buildings in the Northwest Territories, the Legislative Assembly needs to be representative of our people and cultures. NWT residents from any community should be able to see some reflection of themselves in this building and surroundings, where we make decisions on their behalf everyday.

Every year, thousands of tourists visit the Legislative Assembly. We need to take advantage of this opportunity to share our values and diverse cultures with people from all over the world.

Mr. Speaker, the building and surroundings also impact us as Members. I am sure all of us can recall the first time we walked through the door as newly-elected MLAs and the awe and sense of responsibility that we felt. I am also sure that, from time to time, all of us who represent constituencies outside of the capital have welcomed the reminders of home and our constituents that are placed in various locations throughout the building.

Mr. Speaker, we often take our public buildings for granted. We might notice generally the feeling we get when we come in the door, but we rarely consider the thought and small details that go into creating those impressions. They don’t happen by accident; they take planning and that is why I believe that we are making a very positive step by establishing the Cultural Enhancement Commission.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the newly-appointed commission members. They are Mr. Gerald Antoine, from Fort Simpson; Ms. Annie Felix, from Tuktoyaktuk; Ms. Beverly Masuzumi, from Fort Good Hope; Ms. Colleen McDonald, from Yellowknife; Mr. Sonny McDonald, from Fort Smith; and, Mr. George Tuccaro, from Yellowknife.

This is a very strong and knowledgeable group, who will represent the people and the cultures of the Northwest Territories very well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause