Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon.
To our friends in Gwich’in country: Good afternoon. To our francophone friends: Good day, bonjour. For our friends in Chipewyan country: Good day. To my Cree friends and relations: How are you today? To my friends in the Slavey communities: Good day. To our friends in the Beaufort-Delta who speak Inuvialuktun: How are you today? And last, but not least, to our Tlicho friends: Greetings.
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Although I was sworn in as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories just over five months ago, I feel very honoured to be here in the House in an official capacity for the very first time. I will work very hard to serve all Northerners with pride, courage and dignity.
I was invited to the high school graduation ceremony in Behchoko -- the day after I was sworn in -- followed by the Sport North Annual Awards Banquet the same evening. You could say that “I hit the ground running!”
At the end of June I attended an event in Ottawa, where I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, when they visited Canada on their Royal Tour. I was a proud Northerner and a proud Canadian that day.
On October 1st I had the pleasure of representing the people of the Northwest Territories at the installation ceremony for our new Governor General, His Excellence, the Right Honourable David Johnston. I had a brief conversation with him and his wife, Sharon, and have written to him with an open invitation for them to visit the Northwest Territories.
During my term as Commissioner I hope to visit every community in the Territory at least once, and to attend as many cultural events and school graduations as possible. Of course I would welcome invitations to accompany the Members of this House in visiting their communities and constituents in my role as Commissioner. Over the next five years I look forward to working with each and every one of you, keeping in mind there is an election on the horizon.
Now, as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories I am pleased to asset to the following bills:
Bill 8, Social Work Profession Act
Bill 9, An Act to Amend the Tourism Act
Bill 12, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act
Bill 13, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) 2011-2012
Bill 21, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2009-2010
Bill 22, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2009-2010
Bill 23, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2010-2011
Bill 24, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2010-2011
Thank you, merci beaucoup, mahsi cho, quanami.
Colleagues, before we proceed with orders of the day I would like to thank the Pages who have served us during this sitting of the Assembly.
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We have had the pleasure of seeing in our Assembly youth from Tu Nedhe, Inuvik, Inuvik Twin Lakes, Hay River North, Nunakput, Monfwi, Sahtu and Yellowknife. I would like to extend the appreciation of the House to the Pages and to their chaperones, supervisors and teachers who make this program such a meaningful experience for our territorial youth.
Although this House will adjourn until February, I know that Ministers continue to do their duties, committees are scheduled to meet in December and January, and we are all very eager to return to our constituencies and catch up with the work that continues while we are here in the capital.
I would like to remind Members that November 11th is one week from today and I urge you all to take the opportunity to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who have served and are continuing to serve both at home and abroad. There will be services in communities throughout the Territories and I hope that you and all northern residents will attend in support of those men and women in our Armed Forces.
As we will not meet again in this Chamber until the New Year, I would also like to take this opportunity to be the very first to extend my best wishes to you and your families for a safe and happy holiday season. As always, I wish you safe travels as we disperse today and I look forward to seeing you all in this Chamber in the New Year.
