Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Last weekend, on February 25, 26 and 27, the annual senior recreational hockey tournament took place in Fort Simpson. A total of eight teams took part in this tournament. Teams from Hay River, Fort Smith, Fort Norman, Fort Good Hope, Deline, and even Lynx River showed up to play in this tournament.

---Laughter The teams from Fort Norman, Fort Good Hope and Deline drove over the winter road to participate in this tournament. It goes to show that even on the seasonal winter roads, there's a real desire for intercommunity activity. So, you can imagine that once the all-weather road down the valley is built, how much intercommunity activity will take place down the valley.

It was a pretty good tournament, Mr. Speaker, with a lot of excitement and controversy. I would just like to say that generally there is a real need to standardize the rules throughout the north for sport so that there is consistency in officiating from one part of the north to another. I think that would really help communities and the sport in the north.

The people of Fort Simpson appreciate the excitement of the game, especially into the finals. Tournaments like these are the results of the Government of the Northwest Territories capital expenditures in building arenas in most communities in the north. As more arenas are built, there will be more and more hockey players coming out of these communities. It is one of the best investments, I think, for the north.

Tournaments are also good for the host communities. It is a boost to their economy. The hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations, stores and even bars received contribution from this tournament. Usually at these kinds of events dances are held to try to squeeze something more out of the players, if they have anything left. That usually happens, and it is usually organized by a volunteer group. Tournaments like this, in general, Mr. Speaker, are good for the north. Mahsi.