Mr. Speaker, on February 16, 2004, the second territorial election took place in Nunavut.
In Nunavut there is a consensus style, no-party government, so last Friday, March 5, in secret ballots, the newly elected MLAs chose the representatives they wanted to be ministers, appointed a speaker and elected the premier of Nunavut.
I would like to congratulate Paul Okalik who was re-elected as premier, making him the first territorial premier to serve two consecutive terms. I look forward to working together with Premier Okalik in ensuring that the lives of the Nunavummiut will continue to improve.
Elected as speaker was Jobie Nutarak and selected as ministers were Ed Picco, Olayuk Akesuk, Leona Aglukkaq, Levinia Brown, Peter Kilabuk, David Simailak, and Louis Tapardjuk.
I congratulate the newly elected cabinet ministers who were sworn in on Monday and all the MLAs who sit today in the first sitting of the second government of Nunavut.
Mutna.