Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 6 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, read a third time.
The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 5 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act, read a third time.
The honourable Minister Responsible for the Financial Management Board Secretariat, Mr. Roland.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2008–2009, be read for the third time.
Bill 18 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2008–2009, read a third time.
The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, be read for the third time.
Bill 12 has had third reading.
Motion carried; Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, read a third time.
Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if His Honour the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills?
M. le Président, M. le Premier ministre, messieurs et mesdames les députés, mesdames et messieurs, friends, mes amis.
It is indeed my pleasure and privilege to be back here in your company in this House today.
Members, I know you were advised earlier today of the passing of former Member, Speaker and Minister Michael Ballantyne. It was my pleasure and my honour to have served with Mr. Ballantyne during the 11th and 12th Legislative Assemblies. He played a pivotal part and role in the evolution of this institution and the strengthening of our unique style of consensus government. I express my deepest and most sincere condolences to his wife, Penny, and to their three children during this difficult time.
Now, if I may, since we met in February I have attended many events throughout the Northwest Territories as your Commissioner.
During the Arctic Winter Games, for example, in March, I had the pleasure of escorting one of our former Commissioners, Mr. Stuart Hodgson, to Behchoko for a visit with the chiefs, the elders and residents of the Tlicho region, people he had the pleasure of working with as the Commissioner. It was an honour to see Mr. Hodgson again and to welcome him back to the Northwest Territories.
In April I travelled to Inuvik to take part in the special events marking the visit to the Beaufort-Delta by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, our Governor General. While in Inuvik Her Excellency presented the Northern Medal to Nellie Cournoyea. Nellie is a most worthy recipient of the Northern Medal. Her commitment, her dedication and tireless work for the people of her region and for all Northerners is admired, respected and greatly appreciated.
While in the Delta I drove the ice road to Aklavik, where I met and had lunch with the elders at the Joe Greenland Centre and had a tour of the Moose Kerr School. I was very impressed with the beautiful artwork and ethnic artefacts and the students’ paintings that were on display in the school, which I know are very inspiring to students, to staff and to visitors alike.
I was very pleased to have been invited to attend the grand opening of the Gwich’in Wellness Centre. Gwich’in President Fred Carmichael spoke with passion about the need for the Wellness Centre to be a cornerstone of healing, wellness and personal growth for all people.
I am also pleased to convey to you that I heard during the Arctic Winter Games from the Prime Minister’s office inviting me to remain as your Commissioner for another two years and to complete the full five-year mandate. I want to thank the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Members of this House and the Members of the 16th Legislative Assembly, as well, for the confidence you have placed in me.
I am honoured to stay on as your Commissioner, and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of the Northwest Territories to the best of my ability in my role as your Commissioner.
During my remaining time as Commissioner I have set yet another personal goal I hope to achieve, and that is to travel along all of the highways in the Northwest Territories and to visit those communities that are along them.
My next official road trip will be next week to attend the Deh Cho Annual Assembly in Kakisa.
Also, I have been invited by the Town of Hay River to take part in the Canada Day celebrations, so I will drive that highway as well.
Now, the biggest trip I have set is for July, when I will drive the Dempster Highway to Inuvik to attend the 50th anniversary homecoming of the Town of Inuvik. That trip, I am sure, is to be both a journey through time as well as through some of the most beautiful country in Canada, and one I am most excited to make.
You see, back in 1959 I worked as a welder and a steel cutter during the summer months for Dominion Bridge of Canada on the utilidor system and the water treatment plant at Hidden Lake — which I’m proud to say is still standing — in what was at the time known as East Three, now today known as the town of Inuvik.
Now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:
Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act
Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act
Bill 7, Securities Act
Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 4, 2007–2008
Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act
Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act
Bill 18, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 1, 2008–2009
As we adjourn from this House, I wish you all safe travels home and a busy and productive summer as you continue to work for the people of your constituencies and for all the people of the Northwest Territories.
I also wish you a happy Aboriginal Day the day after tomorrow, and I hope you will participate in some of the many activities your communities will be sponsoring. I look forward to seeing you all in October.
Thank you, mahsi cho, quyanainni, and merci beaucoup.
Applause.
Colleagues, today marked the last appearance in the House for our Law Clerk, Mr. Glen Arthur Boyd. Mr. Boyd has served the Board of Management, the House and its Members as Law Clerk for the past two years. His counsel through some difficult files was greatly appreciated and greatly valued.
Mr. Boyd has accepted a position as counsel for the federal Department of Justice, effective this summer. Members, please join me in expressing thanks to Mr. Boyd for his fine services to this institution.
Applause.
Colleagues, before we proceed to Orders of the Day, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the work of all Members during the last five weeks. It has been a challenging session in many ways, with difficult decisions being debated and decided in the unique manner that defines consensus government.
It has also been an exciting time for the Assembly, as we introduced during this sitting both our Legislative Assembly television network and the self-guided audio tours of the Assembly in our official languages.
As we leave here today, I know you are all looking forward to finding some time this summer to attend and participate in summer assemblies, continue your work for and with your constituents, and spend some of this all-too-short season with family and friends.
As we all know, the work of Members does not end when this House adjourns. However, I urge all of you to make some time to connect with those you love and enjoy this special time in the North. A perfect opportunity to do this is on June 21, when Canadians all across this country are invited to celebrate National Aboriginal Day. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding achievements and to celebrate the diverse cultures of our aboriginal, Métis and Inuit citizens. We are all fortunate to celebrate this special day, chosen to coincide with this summer’s solstice in the land where the sun will shine on those achievements long after it sets in other parts of the country.
Following on the heels of National Aboriginal Day is Canada Day. Please try to take some time to acknowledge and celebrate our special northern heritage and our country. We have so much to be proud of and thankful for.
I would like to take a moment to thank the pages who have served us in this House during this sitting.
Applause.
I would especially like to recognize Chevy Beaulieu, a page from Hay River North — my riding — who was here. Unfortunately, he had to catch the plane home a little bit earlier, but I would like to acknowledge the work he has done here for us.
I also extend appreciation to all the pages who have assisted us during this session.
Mr. Speaker, Orders of the Day for Wednesday, October 1, 2008:
Prayer
Ministers’ Statements
Members’ Statements
Returns to Oral Questions
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Acknowledgements
Oral Questions
Written Questions
Returns to Written Questions
Replies to Opening Address
Petitions
Reports of Standing and Special Committees
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
Tabling of Documents
Notices of Motion
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
Motions
First Reading of Bills
Second Reading of Bills
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Report of Committee of the Whole
Third Reading of Bills
Orders of the Day
Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly this House stands adjourned until October 1, 2008, 1:30 p.m.
House adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
