Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Karla Van Pelt, a resident of my constituency, on receiving the James H. Harrison bursary from the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories.
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Mr. Speaker, Ms. Van Pelt was born and raised in Fort Smith and is currently in her third year in paleobiology at the University of Saskatchewan. This is the first year for the awarding of this bursary and I'm proud that a resident of my riding was chosen for this award. This bursary is for the amount of $3,000 and is awarded by the Science Institute, in memory of Dr. James Harrison, who was the founding chair of the Science Institute board of governors.
After Karla Van Pelt finishes her degree, she plans to return to the north, hopefully Fort Smith, and work for either Parks Canada or our own Department of Renewable Resources. Mr. Speaker, we need more northerners trained in the sciences working in our government and helping us, as political leaders, to make intelligent and informed decisions for all the residents of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Science Institute for promoting science as a viable career path for northerners of the territories. Thank you.
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