Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the Yellowknife Media All Stars have challenged Members of this House in an exhibition hockey game at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 28, in the Yellowknife Community Arena. The rules of this match state that the MLA All Star Team can be selected from any of the following groups: MLAs; spouses of MLAs; Legislative Assembly employees; deputy ministers; or assistant deputy ministers.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to report that your team, the L.A. Senators, have drafted nine Members of this House, including Rebecca Mike.
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As the rules require, the L.A. Senators' team has three women. The rules also require that both teams have at least one woman on the ice at all times. I am proud to announce, Mr. Speaker, that we have selected Robin Sproule as our goalie, so we will, as rule number four requires, have a woman on the ice at all times.
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Mr. Speaker, I must express the great concern of my honourable teammates over rule number seven, which prohibits body contact.
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Mr. Speaker, personally, I would not object to a physical game with the media
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I am, however, concerned as to whether or not the non-contact rule applies to members of the same team. As you are well aware, Mr. Speaker, during our last game some Members of the Executive chose to deliver body checks to Members from this side of the House. Mr. Speaker, we do not wish to see the repeat of this shameful performance.
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To that end, Mr. Speaker, rule number seven must be strictly enforced, and any player who makes contact, as either an opponent or a teammate, must be penalized.
Mr. Speaker, I have taken a poll and it appears that there is a great deal of public support for the L.A. Senators. I would suggest that the stands will be overflowing with our supporters, and I challenge the media to equal our support. I promise the general public that it is going to be a very entertaining event, and I encourage all residents of Yellowknife and everyone else visiting the city of Yellowknife, to witness this historic sporting event.
Lastly, I would ask the media whether or not they will agree to waive rule number seven
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--- Applause