Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, I would like to take the time and opportunity to pay tribute to the many employees who are no longer employees of the government; who, perhaps because of our downsizing, retired or were terminated in the last while.
I feel it is important to thank them because, in many cases, they devoted years of their lives to this government and provided good service to the people of the North. They were a very valuable resource.
Many were people who provided a consistency over the years; a constant we northerners could always count on. I would like to talk a bit about one person. I single him out as a tribute to all the other former employees who should be thanked; and, I single him out only because I know him. It is a person who is responsible for designing and running the government's communications network; Art Sorensen.
Art was a reporter for the Edmonton Journal and a southern group of papers during the late 1960s. He joined the fledgling territorial government in 1971 as chief of public affairs and, through the years, he pursued the Grail of being the communications expert for the government.
For years he crafted the government's messages for public consumption: speeches; government policies; and, news releases, all with impeccable skill. He often had to play the undesirable role of devil's advocate with the Commissioner and Government Leader or Premier of the day; matching wits in order to not offend, being just and yet surviving.
It is significant to note that Art Sorensen could always be counted on to perform his responsibilities with both dedication and good judgement. During 25 years with this government and his service, he did things right and for just reasons.
Last week, his friends and acquaintances came together to celebrate 30 years of contribution, service and achievement. It was also to honour him for who he is --the fibre, the blood and the humour of the man --and to review his lasting contribution to the people of the North and to us, his friends.
It was 25 years ago this month, I had the privilege of hiring Art Sorensen to be the chief of public affairs for this government when I was director of Information.
Now I would like to say a message to Art and to your fellow...