Mr. Speaker, I wish to put on record my appreciation to the people of Yellowknife for the way in which they, on such short notice, took action to receive and make as comfortable as possible the people who were evacuated from Norman Wells last week, and the tremendous support that has come forward from the Mayor Dave Lovell and his counsellors. The way in which the entire operation was carried out is something to be very proud of. On behalf of the people of Norman Wells, I want to thank, again, the people of Yellowknife, the mayor and his council.
The people of Fort Norman have also expressed over and over again, their deep appreciation and gratefulness that they feel towards the people of Norman Wells for the support and the way in which they were also received by that community once the community of Fort Norman was evacuated. The community of Norman Wells; I want to put on the record, the impression that I had in spending three days with them last week, how well organized they were, how committed they were to the work they were doing, and my own observations were that although people were put under such pressure and stress for such a long period of time, they carried out their work so well, in spite of the difficulties that they encountered.
Max MeInyk, the mayor of Norman Wells, the council and the emergency measures organization there took care of Fort Norman and then themselves, in turn. I should also mention.
the chief of Deline, John Tetso, who was called literally on one-hour notice to receive over 370 people from Fort Norman. And who, in six hours, was able to receive that many people and house them.
Mr. Speaker, I request consent to complete my statement.