Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I rise to recognize the great contribution the Canadian Coast Guard makes and has made to the residents of the Northwest Territories over the many years they have been involved in our coastal and inland waters.

---Applause

Coincidentally, Madam Speaker, today marks the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the RCMP schooner, St. Roch in Halifax harbour, marking the end of a two-year voyage for Captain Henry Larson and his crew through the Northwest Passage, both ways. Today as well, myself and some of my colleagues attended a presentation by the Canadian Coast Guard on their joint Canadian and USA scientific expedition to the Arctic waters this past summer.

Madam Speaker, in July of this year, I was at Ogden Point in Victoria to represent the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Honourable John Todd, the Minister for Transportation, in wishing well the two ice breakers participating in the Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition, 1994. The Canadian Coast Guard ship, the Louis St. Laurent, with Captain Phil Grandy -- whom I will introduce later -- and the US Coast Guard ice breaker, the Polar Sea, with Captain Lawson Brigham were in harbour to take on supplies and equipment and hold an open house to the public after the dedication services.

The expedition, equipped with the latest scientific and electronic navigation technologies, were to sample air, ice, water and ocean bottom for the present and historical conditions of the Arctic environment. Water, ice and mud samples were taken back for further analysis and evaluation of the health of our Arctic waters. In addition to the scientific work, I am proud to say that the Louis St. Laurent was the first Canadian surface ship to reach our part of the North Pole. The St. Laurent was joined at the North Pole by the Polar Sea and later accompanied the Polar Sea on the way back to the Maritimes, over the pole from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

Madam Speaker, my time is up and I seek unanimous consent to continue.