Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This city has been in shock since nine miners lost their lives at Royal Oak Giant Mine last Friday. While families grieve the loss of their loved ones, friends and neighbours share the loss of life in a small close- knit community. It affects us all. My family and I share the sorrow of all those who have suffered personal loss from this tragedy. I grew up in a small mining community, Mr. Speaker. My father and both grandfathers were miners. As a small boy, I shared in the grief of many school friends who lost brothers and fathers in mine disasters. Those childhood memories have come flooding back this weekend.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I pray not only for grieving wives and offspring of our lost workers, but I pray for our young people. They need comfort and healing. The tragedy has deeply divided the community and pitted friend against friend, and family against family. There is much passion and anger, Mr. Speaker. I would urge all Yellowknifers to share in a period of calm, so that we can heal the wounds and divisions in our community.

Thank you.