Bill 11 has had third reading.
Mr. Clerk, would you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George Tuccaro, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills.
Colleagues, before we adjourn today, I would like to make a few comments.
Firstly, I appreciate the work that you have undertaken during this session. You have debated and adopted the 2012-2013 budget, four supplementary appropriation bills, two pieces of legislation and considered five committee reports.
During this sitting we have also noted the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Many of you joined the Premier and me earlier today for the planting of the Jubilee shrubs to commemorate this event. I wish to remind Members that ceremonies will continue to take place in many communities throughout the North to present the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals. I encourage you to attend as many of these ceremonies as you can and to celebrate with our northern medal recipients.
The House also noted and marked May 26th as the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation, a unique and heartfelt northern response to the impacts of residential schools in the North. This House also passed a motion during this sitting which recognized and honoured the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and we were honoured to have Commissioner Marie Wilson with us on Monday. I urge all Members and all NWT residents to continue to celebrate the strength of our communities and of our people and to take an active part in Aboriginal Day festivities on June 21st. This is another uniquely northern day of celebration.
As Northerners, we will, of course, join all Canadians to celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. True North strong and free.
I know, colleagues, that many of you offered congratulations to graduates in your regions during this sitting. Today I’d like to congratulate all my graduates of Nunakput, especially Bessie Lennie Ruben, Dakota Reidford, Isaac Elanik, Tessa Selene Lucas, Kyle Wolki, Joel Ross-Gruben, Kayla Kaodloak, Reheane Kanayok, Tracey Kanayok, Natasha Nasogaluak and Amanda Wolki. I’d like to say a special thank you to your parents, grandparents, your guardians and your friends for encouraging and supporting you each and every day to get you where you’re at. Thank you.
This is another happy summer ritual and it is worth repeating. I wish to extend the congratulations of the House to all the NWT graduates and wish them the very best as they begin a new and exciting stage in their lives. You are our future and we are all very proud of each and every one of you across the North.
Members, many of you will be returning to your homes and families tomorrow, which is a really good day. Summer in the Northwest Territories is a time to travel and visit with family and friends, to attend summer assemblies and listen to and learn from our constituents.
I wish you all safe travels as we leave today and look forward to seeing you as our paths cross this summer and when we again meet in this House in the fall.
