Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about those people near and dear to the hearts of all of us: our mothers.

--- Applause

This Sunday, mothers across the Northwest Territories will be treated to a special picture or craft made by little hands, or a meal at a local eatery. For any of us who can remember being teenagers, our mothers sometimes drove us crazy. However, as we get older, we really appreciate just how much our mothers did for us.

My mother is a wonderful lady. She raised six of us -- four boys; no mean task -- and she worked very hard to keep us happy and healthy. She taught us many things over the years. My mother always encouraged us to be open, honest individuals. She taught us to enjoy the company of others and to approach each new person as a possible new friend. In a family with six children, there were often things said or done that caused unhappiness for one of us. My mother taught us to turn the other cheek and be patient with others when they didn't do things exactly the way we wanted them to. She always encouraged us to treat others the way we wanted to be treated. When we had disagreements, she made us work them out together, helping us to learn that the world isn't black and white and that there's always another side to every story. Finally, my mother taught me to enjoy life and people around me. I've always tried to do that, both with my family and friends, and with my colleagues in the workplace.

The hard work of mothers goes on 365 days a year. Let us all take time on Sunday to make sure they know how much we love them and appreciate their efforts. To all the mothers in my life my mother, my wife, Jeri, and my daughter, Michhela Happy Mother's Day. Thank you.

--- Applause