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.
