Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Bar Association is having its first annual meeting of council in the Northwest Territories in the 100-year history of that organization. These meetings are occurring from February 22nd through the 27th in Yellowknife. Over 200 council members and guests have registered. Lawyers and judges from all across Canada will be attending the mid-winter meeting which is being hosted by the Northwest Territories branch of the CBA. The federal Justice Minister, Alan Rock, is among those scheduled to speak to council. Council will also debate various resolutions and will hear an expert panel debating legal and constitutional questions relating to national unity.
The local organizing committee of the NWT branch of the Canadian Bar Association has been very busy for the last year and a half planning a variety of activities and actively promoting the Yellowknile meeting. When the delegates are not in meetings, they will be involved in a variety of activities including dogsled rides, ice fishing, bus tours of the city, an aurora tour at Prelude Lake Lodge and tours of the Assembly facility, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre and local art galleries. There will be a performance at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre featuring noted northern performers including Tracy Riley, the Gumboots, the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School Drummers and Dancers and the Yellowknife Youth Choir.
The NWT branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and in particular recognized for the work that they put into promoting the Northwest Territories as the site for this meeting, and should be congratulated for putting together an exceptional slate of activities for delegates. I am sure that Members of this Assembly will join me in wishing all the delegates and guests very productive meetings and an interesting stay in Yellowknife and safe travel to and from their homes. Thank you.
---Applause