Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Across the north in the past few months, there have been many long service award dinners recognizing employees of this government. In January, there was a dinner held in Inuvik to recognize long-service employees in the Inuvik region. As we all know, employees are the backbone of any organization, especially ones who demonstrate, through long service, their dedication and commitment to their job and to their employer. They provide a valuable service, not in the community or communities in which they have lived, but to northerners in general.
There are many employees in the employ of this government but I want to mention a few in particular from the Inuvik area who received long-service awards: I would especially like to mention Mary Ellen Binder and Helen Lalonde; both are teachers and both received 20 year service awards. Also, Bill English and Liz Hansen received 25-year awards. I would like to mention these four individuals in particular. They've lived in various parts of the Inuvik region and I wish to honour them today by making this statement. Mahsi.
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