Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about the happenings this past weekend in Iqaluit. The community hosted the first regional community wellness conference in the Baffin. Delegates from all over the region converged on the community for a series of workshops dealing with this most useful government strategy.
Mr. Speaker, our communities have seen the rise of family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and unemployment. However, as the conference showed, the people of the Baffin are pulling together to deal with these issues in a very proactive way. With the advent of the creation of Nunavut only a short 34 months away, community pride and belief in this dream is creating and fostering a new sense of hope and pride in our community people and our collective future.
Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to participate on the last day of this conference, with a panel, to discuss and hear the delegates speak about community wellness in their communities. It was a very moving afternoon. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers and volunteers and single out Mary Wilman, Lena Evic Twerdin, Elisapee Davidee, Madeline D'Argencourt and the facilitators of the various workshops for running a very professional and well-attended conference.
Mr. Speaker, while in the community this past weekend, the community was host to the Anglican General Synod, as well as the visit of the Honourable John Todd. Mr. Todd held meetings with the Iqaluit and Baffin chambers of commerce and a very well-attended public meeting. Mr. Speaker, there was some excellent give and take with the Minister. I think the Minister now realizes the difference, for example, in the housing policies of this government that have negatively affected our community.
Mr. Todd had an opportunity to visit with various community leaders, as well as spending time with yours truly. I am wearing my John Todd tie today, Mr. Speaker, in honour of the Honourable John Todd, who I have had many disagreements with over the past few months in this House. I do give him credit for his ability to deal with the public on difficult issues and, ever the resourceful student, I have been monitoring the honourable Member for tips, as well as the art of the understatement.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Todd has been called many things, but I can say I have heard him called the only public figure who could out-talk, out-act, out-work and look better at a meeting than myself. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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