Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that the Honourable Member for Hay River North, the Premier will be absent from the House for today to host the Western Premier’s Conference here in Yellowknife.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Premier R.J.

Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson issued the following statement today on Premier Pillai’s announcement that he will step away from territorial politics:

Premier R.J. Simpson wishes to offer his deepest condolences on the passing of Bob Simpson, whose decades of service helped shape the political and social landscape of the Northwest Territories.