(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my thanks. First, I would like to say that I really appreciated the people of Arviat. They really welcomed us. I really enjoyed the dogteam ride. I would like to thank Joe Manik who gave me his winter clothing for the ride. I would also like to recognize a lot of the singers who we enjoyed watching. There were a lot of singers there. (Translation ends)
I would like to express my thanks to the Honourable Manitok Thompson for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord on April 16th to 18th. The highlight of her visit, Mr. Speaker, was the official opening of the new hamlet offices and council chambers. For years, the hamlet council and staff have operated out of the old community hall and government offices. Up till now, council had to use the small entrance of the government offices for its council meetings, setting up tables and chairs and then taking them down after each meeting. Now that the hamlet council has taken on more responsibilities for delivering community services and is actively working on taking more responsibilities, I believe that it is very appropriate that the council and its staff finally have a proper place to meet and work.
I am very pleased that the honourable Minister and her officials were there to celebrate this happy event with local residents and also that she took time to meet with the mayor and hamlet council to discuss their desire for a covered outdoor rink, community access roads and land administration. I am also very pleased that Ms. Thompson was able to visit Canada's northernmost community. In Grise Fiord, following a community tour...