Thank you, Madam Speaker. In more than 40 years, Madam Speaker, apart from parking tickets, I have had only one traffic violation, and that was in your home town, Madam Speaker.

In 1972 I moved to Fort Smith from the eastern Arctic, and I hadn't driven for several years. I suppose I had forgotten all the rules; at least some of them. Although I had stopped before a school bus drop-off zone, I proceeded before the bus was in motion again; therefore, I had broken the law.

On Friday around 3:00 pm, Madam Speaker, I attended the ceremonies honouring many members of the RCMP in our great hall, and then I drove home around 4:00 pm. I proceeded up Franklin Avenue very carefully, since we received our first snowfall on Thursday night. I had occasion to use my brakes several times since people changed lanes and it made me think about the quick adjustments we have to make in our driving habits when winter finally arrives.

Turning right on Matonabee Street, where I have lived for the past 18 years, I suddenly realized that the vehicle parked on the opposite side of the road beyond the intersection was a school bus. In front of the bus was a mother and child waiting to cross the road. This mother, who I know, had already protested about the failure of motorists to honour the stop sign on the school bus. I admit to finding it difficult to apply my brakes in time to allow the lady to cross the road, although I did stop. Even when we know every speed zone and every traffic zone in our neighbourhood, bells should automatically ring when we see a large, yellow bus. It should be considered a moveable traffic sign.

People expect MLAs to set an example and to educate and make the public aware of many issues. So, tonight, Madam Speaker, on a related issue, when our streets will be full of eager, young trick or treating children, I urge Members and other members of the public to be extra careful and extra cautious. Thank you.

---Applause