Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start this afternoon by hoping that this House has a sense of humour. I would like to use my statement today to congratulate Canadian Airlines International on becoming a corporate partner in Expo '92. It is my understanding of the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism's statement to this House on Friday that as part of the sponsorship agreement, Canadian Airlines would provide business class seats to GNWT employees travelling to Seville for the price of an economy class ticket.
I note, Mr. Speaker, that we are using this airline as our exclusive air carrier to travel back and forth to Seville. I am quite sure that this service had little or nothing to do with our agreeing to the corporate sponsorship package. This offer shows Canadian Airlines' deep commitment to the North and its people, and I am quite heartened by their concern for the comfort and extra leg-room for GNWT employees.
I would like to offer the suggestion that Canadian Airlines could continue their generous ways by extending the same offer to other groups in our society who perhaps need this service more, such as elders who have to travel by air...
---Applause
...students who have to travel to attend school, and our sick people who have to travel to the hospitals.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote, for the benefit of Canadian Airlines, a famous Christmas character, Ebenezer Scrooge, who when asked if he would contribute to some well-meaning charity said, "Bah, humbug!"
---Laughter
---Applause