Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back to my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I am afraid that I must open the sitting with a report of sad news. Sad news for Yellowknifers in particular. I have been informed that Yellowknife Johnny Baker, died of a stroke on November 24th in Toronto.
Johnny Baker was a famous prospector who made many gold finds in the early 1930s during his travels down the Yellowknife river. In 1935, he staked the deposit which later became the Giant Mine. This discovery launched a staking rush that drew people to Great Slave Lake from all over Canada. The boom and subsequent mine development laid the foundation for the city of Yellowknife.
In a feature interview with CBC North a couple of years ago, Yellowknife Johnny compared the gold frenzy of the mid 1930s to the diamond boom of the first half of the 1990s. The similarities are easy to see. In both cases, no one had time to prospect once the race was on. People posted their stakes as quickly as they could and then went back for a closer look.
Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret that I report the news of Yellowknife Johnny's death to this House. I am sure all Members will join me in sending belated condolences to his family. I would also like to thank Johnny Baker for his pioneering work in the land that has become thousands of people. People who have joined the aboriginal peoples of the North and become life-long northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.