Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I wish to speak on the matter of the Arctic Winter Games. Madam Speaker, the initial purpose of the Arctic Winter Games was to provide northern sporting and cultural events that would bring together the northern communities in Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories. It was intended to provide an opportunity for northern athletes and cultural performers to compete and allow for an interchange of cultural performances from each of the three Arctic jurisdictions in North America.

Madam Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games was established as an Arctic event. It was established for northern athletes and performers. It was established to provide athletic events for our northern athletes who do not always get opportunities to participate in international, national or provincial athletic events. It was established to give all of our athletes and performers, both young and old, male and female, opportunities to look forward to and maintain their participation as athletes in any sport that was approved for the Arctic Winter Games.

I want to state, Madam Speaker, that I support this concept and feel the Arctic Winter Games should maintain its original concept and abide by the principles originally adopted when the Arctic Winter Games was first launched.

Madam Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games must retain the principle of including all ages of athletes, both men and women. It must retain the idea that sports and cultural events should be supported in which we can achieve representation from each northern jurisdiction. We should not support sporting events that simply satisfy only one or two jurisdictions, but rather we must ensure that all partners participate in any athletic or cultural event in the Arctic Winter Games.

Madam Speaker, I have had the opportunity to participate in the Arctic Winter Games trials and games both as a junior and senior athlete. I have seen some in this House participate as athletes or spectators and some have indicated their support of the Arctic Winter Games. All I believe support the original principles and objectives of these games. All recognized the comparability of our northern athletes.

Madam Speaker, I wish to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.