Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, Mr. Speaker and my fellow colleagues from across this great territory, as we roll up our sleeves for a very energetic and hopefully productive couple of weeks.
With all the recent municipal elections and school board action in the past month, I am really looking forward to harnessing all the new focus and new ideas that were shared amongst so many great civic leaders. From Iqaluit to Whitehorse, from Fort Smith to Inuvik, the North was a myriad of topics that were all designed to improve our everyday lives.
We wish to take this time to thank the many brave candidates that sacrificed so much – and I say brave because it takes a special person to let their name stand for public office – put their lives on hold, and to stand with conviction on topics that affect us. Sometimes you get those who oppose you, and most time you get those people who support you and in the end you hope that your principles are supported enough to generate that special gesture we call a vote.
To those who came up on top with the votes required to win, on behalf of the Members of the Legislative Assembly, congratulations to you, your families and your communities.
For those who didn’t get elected, we want to personally thank you for your efforts. We know losing is a painful and heartbreaking experience but it teaches us dignity. We know that many of you will get back on your feet really quickly. Your efforts, your words and your actions did not go unnoticed. Just because you lost doesn’t mean that your advocacies, whether it be on poverty, education, health, or economy, went to the wayside. Your pledges and your promises will be championed by others and you will enjoy knowing that you played a part in our territory’s well-being.
Finally, to all of those who took the time to exercise their democratic right, we thank you, the voter, for your time and your support. I was pleased to see that the municipal election voter turnout was as strong as it was in 2009, with a strong showing of 49 percent in Yellowknife, and many other jurisdictions reporting over 40 percent turnout. This makes me wonder how it is that our very territorial elections cannot muster the same achievements that we see across the board. This is something that the Assembly needs to discuss in the next couple of years.
Speaking of years, I am happy to say that the voters will now enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and a break from candidates knocking on their door, especially for the next three years as there should be no elections to speak of. Rest up, voters, because in 2015 will emerge the perfect storm as all three levels of governments and school boards will have elections within the same time period. To all you potential candidates across the North, time to reserve your lawns now as space will be limited.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
