(Yellowknife, NT) May 5, 2010 – The Legislative Assembly’s Elder Parliamentarians have chosen the five motions that they will debate during the inaugural “mock” session to be held tomorrow in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly building. The five topics were chosen during discussions in “Caucus” meetings involving all the elders. 

The five motions that are scheduled to be discussed are: 
1. The Establishment of an Elders Senate and Secretariat; 
2. Supplementary Health Benefits Program; 
3. Housing Programs and Services for Seniors; 
4. Support for the Mackenzie Valley Highway; 
5. Community-Based Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers. 

“I am very pleased with the efforts to date of the participants in this inaugural Elders Parliament. It has brought together so many wise and knowledgeable elders from all over the territory and I am looking forward to the debate tomorrow and to continue to hear the wisdom and the vision of our elders,” says Mr. Paul Delorey, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. 

The media and general public are invited to watch the proceedings from the public gallery of the Legislative Assembly building beginning at 1:30 p.m. with a break in the Great Hall at approximately 3:00 p.m. The session will also be broadcast live on the Legislative Assembly broadcasting network, and will continue to be re-broadcast over the coming months. Please visit the Legislative Assembly’s website at www.assembly.gov.nt.ca for a community channel listing. 

For more information, please contact: 

Paul Delorey, Speaker 
Legislative Assembly of the NWT 
P: 867-669-2234 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784 
F: 867-873-0273 
E: paul_delorey@gov.nt.ca  

Danielle O’Neill, Public Affairs and Communications Advisor 
Legislative Assembly of the NWT 
P: 867-669-2230 or toll-free 1-800-661-0784 
F: 867-873-0222 
E: danielle_o’neill@gov.nt.ca