Mr. Speaker, today I would like to say a few words about a long term northerner, a former senior manager with the GNWT and a community leader upon his retirement from public life. Mr. Speaker, I am speaking about Mayor Max Melnyk of the town of Norman Wells. Mr. Melnyk, born in Saskatchewan, joined the Navy and came to the north in the early 1960s. In 1962 he married Agnes Mercredi in Inuvik and started a family. I congratulate Max and Agnes for their many years of marriage.
Mr. Melnyk's position in the military took him to postings in the north and in the south. After leaving the Armed Forces, Mr. Melnyk returned to the north, where he has been an active community member both in Inuvik and Norman Wells. In recognition of his dedication to community service, in 1994, Mr. Melnyk was the recipient of the Northwest Territories Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. This is the highest honour the Department of the Municipal and Community Affairs can bestow on an individual.
Mr. Melnyk has been an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and one of the founding members of the Inuvik branch. As a public servant, Mr. Melnyk held the senior GNWT position in Norman Wells as the area director for the Sahtu. As the mayor of Norman Wells, he has worked hard to improve the quality of life for the residents of his community. Over the years, Mayor Melnyk has worked closely with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs on all the changes that have taken place within the GNWT and our relationship with community councils. Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing Mayor Melnyk and wife Agnes all the best in their retirement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.