Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to thank everyone in this Assembly. It has been an interesting process. I think that most people know that, when I came in, I was pretty street-knowledged, knew a lot about programs with my background, and knew nothing about politics.
I have learned over the four years. I thank the people who have brought that to me and provided that knowledge. I think that we have done some great jobs working this Assembly, and not everyone, but I think that I have also made some great friendships in this Assembly as well, and that is something that I will carry with me, as well, throughout that.
I want to thank the many women who have stood behind me in my work. I want to start with my staff, Brenda Fowler, Mira Dunn, Sabet Biscaye, all wonderful women who have stood by me and put up with my little antics, but were there for me.
I want to thank the hundreds of women in the GNWT. Although I only had the one worker who was actually allocated to me for women in politics, women in leadership, women came out from every single department all over the place to help with the cause, and those are the unsung heroes. Thank you all for all of the support that you provided to that.
I also want to, of course, thank my family, who put up with many late nights. There were not many cooked dinners and lots of sinks full of dishes. Thanks for sticking by me through all of that.
As my colleague, MLA Green stated, we are seeing more women come up and I am hoping that there will be more of an awareness of the representation that is needed in this House, and we will see more women in this Assembly for the 19th Assembly. I will be putting my name forward, and I am hoping that I will be, and my colleague will be, part of that wave that is coming.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to everyone for the work that we have done. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been an honour to serve in this Assembly two terms. I think that my colleague on the other side said it well yesterday, that we only average about four years. I am lucky that I was able to do two terms, and I think that anybody who goes above the four years shows the work that they do for the people of the Northwest Territories. I just wanted to say, if you're doing 12 years, you have been doing a good job.
I just wanted to recognize Tom Beaulieu, Glen Abernethy, and R. C. McLeod. You look at the years that they have put in, the experience, and the work that they have done for people, not only serving in this House, but serving the territory. That is something that needs to be recognized. I just want to thank all of them for giving me the advice to do the job that I did and get over that four years.
Before that, I also want to say that the legislative staff, for anybody who doesn't know the work that we do in this House, they are the backbone. They are the backbone that holds this government, this House, the committees, and our Cabinet together. I know that there have been a lot of people who have come and gone, and I did recognize some of them last night, but we do have some of them in the House today. I know that there is probably going to be a passing of the torch at some point, but a lot of responsibility, looking at you, and I know that you guys are going to be doing a good job. I just want to thank the clerks whom I have had the opportunity to work with over these last two terms, as I said last night, giving me sound advice to do the job that I did.
I have worked in public service for about 14 years, Mr. Speaker, and behind the scenes, outside of the Legislative Assembly, we have a lot of great people who work at the deputy minister's level, senior level, and I just want to thank them. I want to say that I have been honoured to be a Minister working with the departments that I have had the opportunity to work with.
I know that we are going to get into recognition of the visitors in the gallery later, but at this point, Mr. Speaker, if you will allow me, I would like to recognize some people in the gallery at this point. Ronna Sharegan. Long history. We worked together in the industry, and I'm glad that she had the opportunity to come and work with me in my office and learn about government. Sheila. Strong supporter. She has worked for you, Mr. Speaker, worked for me, and I just want to say thank you, Sheila, for all the support that you've given over these years.
Mr. Speaker, I've always recognized Judy McLeod, a constituent of mine, and I want to recognize her again; and also Hilda Camirand. We've chatted about this many times, where, as the Delta Boys who would walk down the hall, Hilda would always ask how you were doing and always say hi and good morning.
Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, there will be an opportunity to address those areas, as well.
[Microphone turned off] then I'll be finished. In the last eight years, Mr. Speaker, I've never recognized one constituent of Inuvik Boot Lake, and I'd like to recognize him today and thank him for all the work that he's done, and it's my constituent Mr. Robertson McLeod. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's been an honour and a pleasure to serve with all of you over the last four years. The Premier has outlined many of the things that we've accomplished, and I'd like to, at this stage, thank all of you, and also the staff who has worked with us over the years. I think in particular of Stephen Dunbar and Heather Riviere, my MSAs over the last few years.
We have accomplished much, and I am particularly proud of some of the legislation, in particular the Ombud Act, ATIP, Corrections Act. These were either new acts or improved acts. The Public Land Act. Progress has been made, but there is clearly much, much more to do. I attempted to resolve the thorny issue of equity leases over the last few years, and some progress, fortunately, has been made.
I was particularly happy, over the years, to hear from you, Mr. Speaker, and others who spoke languages in this Assembly other than English. I apologize to the French community for my stumbles today. It seemed easier when I was preparing upstairs than it did down here. When I was referring to the launch of the land titles system, I think I used a rather strange date. It should have been "vingt-et-un deux-mille-dix-neuf," not some strange date that I think I might have mentioned. Clearly I need more work. I undertake, should I be returned, to take more classes at College nordique.
Many years and many roads have led me to this position. I was a lawyer in my former life. I worked on the Main Street, and I also worked on Bay Street. This is the best job I've ever had, and I want to thank all of you. You know, we may disagree, but I hope we're not disagreeable, because there is much we've done, much more to accomplish, and I've been very proud to work with all of you. Thank you.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was going to go last, but my colleague to the left of me pulled rank on me. I just want to take this opportunity to thank the Members of Cabinet who will not be running again. I want to thank Minister McLeod, Minister Abernethy, and Minister Moses, thank them for all their support; and, of course, Tom Baulieu. We both got elected at the same time; we were colleagues in the civil service, so I wish him the best.
I want to recognize some people in my office, and all of these people work very hard to have a very smooth-running machine. Some of them are here, some of them are watching, but I want to recognize Gary Bohnet, Melissa Cyr, Jennifer Dallman-Sanders, Contessa Stead, Trista Haugland, and, of course, Shaun Dean, Eileen Marlowe, and Krystal Pidborochynski, and my constituency assistant Darlene Mandeville.
If I may, Mr. Speaker, I have a couple of Yellowknife South constituents. A lot of people don't know that I had royalty working in my office for many years. I want to recognize a constituent of Yellowknife South, Hilda Camirand, and also another constituent of Yellowknife South, Pat Thagard, who is up there. There she is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want to thank everybody else, all the Members. I wish them all the best, especially the ones who are running again. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did give a long retirement speech back in march, but I think I want to use this two minutes and 23 seconds left to thank the constituents of Inuvik Twin Lakes for allowing me to be their representative. I hope that I've represented them well. I hope I've conducted myself well in this Assembly. I know we've had our differences, but I would expect nothing less. Some of my biggest debates, arguments if you want to call them, were with people who I consider friends of mine, and that's what we do. So you're doing your job, I'm doing mine, but at the end of the day I hope we decided what's best for the people of the Northwest Territories.
To prospective candidates and those who are running again, bring that attitude when you go hit the campaign trail. Don't just tell them that you're going to do something for them; show them that you're going to do something for them. You may even last 15 years; and I think that's been one of my trademarks. I'd like to believe that is faith that allowed me to come down and work on their behalf.
We've been thanking a lot of people today, and I think I should, as well. Tim Mercer and the Legislative Assembly staff, thank you. I always recall our first conversation --I won't tell you exactly how it went -- back in 2004, but I've always appreciated you and your counsel, so thank you.
Thank you to the staff that I've had over the years. I've had the privilege of having good people. If you surround yourself with good people, that allows you to do yourself better. My current executive secretary, Rachel, up in the gallery. Mr. Ralph Collinson, who has been with me for my whole 11 years as a Minister. He provided me with a lot of good counsel. I bug him a lot, but he knows. You started out as an employee; I consider you a friend, now, and remember I said that at Christmastime.
I've had the opportunity to work with a number of deputies over the years, from Jeff and Mike and Willard, Tom Williams. I'm going to give him the "C" now, because he's the captain. In this Assembly, I've had Erin, Kelly, Joe Dragon, David Stewart; I actually remembered his name. A lot of you don't realize that I was at a meeting with David Stewart one time; I'm going to go a little over, so I should seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. I was a little worried there for a second that it might not happen. I was at a meeting with David; I don't know if he's up here, but he's probably listening. I was sitting there and I was introducing my staff, and for the life of me I forgot his name. He was sitting right here, and I'm thinking, "I should know his name." So I don't know if committee realizes, a lot times we come before committee. Whenever I introduce David Stewart, him and I, we have a little smile; that's where that story comes from.
Colleagues, it's been an experience with all of you. Like I said before, we haven't always agreed on everything, but I would expect nothing less. You're doing your job, and you do it well, and I have nothing but respect for those who put their name forward, because we do put ourselves out there for criticism. We are criticized, but we take that criticism because we believe in what we're doing and we have to continue.
Lastly, and most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I need to thank my family. I've been fortunate; you've only had to tolerate me for 14, 15 years; some of you just four years. My wife Judy has had to tolerate me for 40 years. We just celebrated our 40th anniversary in July, so she's had to tolerate me for a long time. I appreciate the support that she gives me, and as I have said so many times, and I am sure that you all have heard about my grandchildren too many times, but one more time: I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with them. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. O'Reilly on August 16, 2019, regarding Food Establishment Safety Regulations.
The Food Establishment Safety Regulations were amended as part of the Department of Health and Social Services' efforts to advance the GNWT Agricultural Strategy and better support the sale of locally produced, low-risk foods, as well as to reflect current best practices and standards for food safety.
These amendments reflect engagement with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Environment and Natural Resources, and Lands, in order to support the NWT's emerging agricultural and food production sector. Feedback was also received from food establishment operators during routine work of the environmental health unit with permit holders, including active engagement with Yellowknife and Inuvik Farmers' Market operators. For example, the amendments address some of the concerns brought forward to the department earlier this year in Inuvik, around permitting, durations, and restrictions.
Supporting resources, such as an event coordinator forum, were also developed to assist emerging community market requirements. A version of this forum was piloted with the Yellowknife market prior to being finalized for implementation with these new regulations. These amendments are just one step in developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for safe agriculture and food production practices in the Northwest Territories.
Looking forward, the department had begun work on meat inspection regulations under the Public Health Act to provide the necessary regulatory framework for abattoirs and meat sales. As this work progresses, the department will participate in work to advance an overall regulatory framework for safe food production and sales in the Northwest Territories.
This work will be a partnership with ITI, ENR, and Lands in order to ensure that the regulatory framework addresses human health, animal health, environmental protection, as well as land use management. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Colleagues, I would like to draw your attention to the visitors in the gallery. I would like to recognize the important work that they are about to undertake on behalf of the whole Northwest Territories.
First, I would like to recognize Chief Electoral Officer Nicole Latour, who is here with us today; deputy Chief Electoral Officer Pat Thagard; and absentee ballot officer Brenda Norris.
I would also like to recognize all of the returning officers who are here with us this morning for the whole Northwest Territories. The returning officers are here in Yellowknife for their final training session. It is a bit of a tradition to visit the Assembly's last day of session. Masi for being here with us.
[Translation] I would just like to say that we have a visitor in the gallery. Harriet Koyina is in the gallery. She has been working with elections for many years. Everything has been running smoothly, so I would like to thank her. [Translation ends]
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a feeling that this is going to go on a while. I want to recognize the returning officers for Hay River, Ms. Marny Twigge and Ms. Heather Coakwell, who do great work as returning officers, but also do a lot of other stuff in the community as well. I want to thank them for, not just this work, but everything that they do. Then my constituency assistant, who hates being recognized, but it's the last day, so I am going to do it: Ms. Anne Peters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my constituent, Grace Martin, who will be a returning officer for the Mackenzie Delta. I know that she will do a great job. Also, our Chief Electoral Officer, Nicole Latour, and all your staff. Mahsi.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize the Chief Electoral Officer and staff, Nicole Latour, and the Sahtu returning officer, Michael Erb, and also recognize my former CA and my current CA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize four constituents from the riding of Yellowknife North. Earlier today, providing our prayer song, was the Member and former Premier, Stephen Kakfwi. I also want to recognize and welcome Andy Young, a former fellow city councillor when I was on City Council, and the returning officer now is Amanda Mallon. We also have in the House today the constituency assistant to Frame Lake and Yellowknife Centre, Craig Yeo. Thank you, and welcome. Thank you for being here.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to welcome and acknowledge our elections officers. You are the front line of our democracy, and I very much appreciate the hard work that you do. Particularly, I would like to recognize Ms. Yvette Schreder, the Kam Lake returning officer.
I would also like to recognize two people who have been very important to my work as the Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Garett Cochrane, who served as my constituency assistant for the first half of my term, and Mr. Mike Burchill, who is my current constituency assistant. I couldn't do this job without you, gentlemen, and thank you very much for your service to the people of Kam Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Chief Electoral Officer Nic Latour. I would like to recognize a returning officer, Antoinette "Tony" Lafferty, from Fort Resolution.
I would like to recognize Tom Unka and Maro Sundberg as our interpreters. They don't just interpret for the riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. They also do interpreting for Monfwi, interpreter for people in Thebacha, to people in Hay River North, Hay River South, and Yellowknife.
I would like to recognize my CA, Pascal Erasmus, and I would also like to make special recognition of my spouse, Monique Marinier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to recognize a couple of people up there: the returning officer from the Nahendeh, as well as a constituent, Vanessa Waugh, as well as Nicole Latour, Chief Electoral Officer. We go way back. Welcome to the House. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I, too, would like to recognize a constituent, Mr. Tamlin Gilbert. He is going to be serving as one of the returning officers in the upcoming election.
We also, of course, have Nicole Latour, the Chief Electoral Officer. I want to thank her for her work at improving elections and electoral reform in general. I want to recognize returning officer for Frame Lake, Ms. Mona Durkee. I might be by to see you in early September.
Lastly, and not least, my constituency assistant, Craig Yeo. No matter what he did to try to make me look good, it often just didn't work. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Craig is my constituency assistant as well, and if Kevin was a better listener, he would have had better results. Thank you, Craig, for everything that you have done for us.
I would also like to recognize Nicole Latour, who is my constituent, and the returning officers who are here from Elections NWT. I look forward to a good campaign. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the Chief Electoral Returning Officer. Also, at the same time, I just want to say thank you to our translator, as well, Joe Tambour from K'atlodeeche First Nation, being the South Slavey translator for the duration of the session here. Mahsi. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Pascal Erasmus. Yesterday, I mentioned that he worked for myself and Mr. Beaulieu, the representative of the riding of Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Mr. Speaker, I am going go on this again: when you have someone working for two different ridings, it really broadens their horizons. I see that in Pascal. I appreciate the work that he has done. He has written some good statements over the past couple of weeks.
Also, all the staff, there are many all over who have responded to some emails and some really pressing issues that affect constituents' social and maybe even financial ways of life. I would like to say thank you to everybody for the work that they have done and the responses that they did. They represented Ministers very well. The relationship that we have with the Ministers is that. It is in person. The real work that people do is behind the scenes. I would just like to thank them for that. I see a lot of them sitting up there behind me.
Also, Mr. Speaker, general staff. It might be a useless statistic, but I will probably walk through two doors today. I would like to thank those two people in advance who might open those doors for me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Almost a Member's statement. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They are not constituents, but I would like to recognize Heather Riviere and Brittany Gosse, who have helped me over the last number of years. Thank you.
Masi. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my wife, Judy. I appreciate all the support over the last number of years. It makes it a lot easier. I think someone pointed out that they really have to look after the home front while we are down here and has done a great job. I am looking forward to spending a lot more time at home. I would also like to recognize a couple of the residents of Inuvik. I think here with the returning officers is Mr. Chris Garven. Good to see you here, Chris. Mr. Mitchell McQuarrie, welcome to the gallery. I failed to thank my constituency assistant in Inuvik before, who has been with my office for nine years, Sharleagh, and thank her for the service she had had. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, very much for our friendship over the last 14, 15 years. I hope it continues. Thank you.
Certainly welcome. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize three people in the gallery who have been who have been incredibly important to me over the last three years as both an MLA and as a Minister. First, I would like to recognize Cathy Olsen, who is not only a constituent of the Great Slave riding but has been one of the most amazing constituency assistants I have ever had. She has helped me keep my office in order and make sure that I am responding and working for the residents of the Great Slave riding on a daily basis.
I would also like to recognize from my ministerial office Ramie Ireland, who is, in my mind, probably the greatest executive assistant that I have ever had and has been a gem and an amazing person, has kept my office in order. As well as Susan Laramee, who has been a special advisor for me for the last four years. I often say she is the one who makes sure I make it where I need to be when I need to be and remember which speaking notes I am supposed to be talking from.
I would like to recognize these three amazing people in the gallery and thank them for all their incredibly hard work. I am going to miss them. I am going to miss seeing them every day. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, I am incredibly excited to be putting down my phone so I don't have to take calls 24 hours a day, and I will be able to spend some incredible, uninterrupted time with my beautiful wife, Carolyn, and my amazing 16-year-old son, John Russel Smith Abernethy. Thank you.
Sixteen months. Masi. For the record, that is 16 months. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know you are going to get mad at me, but I want to take a moment more, probably. I want to start by recognizing the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories. I am not going to read off their names, but I want to say that this organization has stuck behind me 100 percent for the last four years with no lateral violence, with no backhand. They have been behind me as an Indigenous woman. I sincerely thank you for what you do for Indigenous women. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize in the House my sister-in-law, Karen Cochrane, who is here, married to my brother. Welcome, Karen. My nephew Garrett is here, as well.
Mr. Speaker, a little bit emotional, the most important woman in my whole life is here today. My mother is here in the House, Ms. Shirley Cochrane. She has never stepped foot in this Assembly before. I apologize, Mom. Over the last four years, I have only been able to see her two or three times because of the job. I love you to the world. Even though I don't see you, you are the most important thing in my life. Thank you for being here. Thank you for having me. I owe everything to you, Mom. Thank you.
