Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is about the kids' help phone, better known as the kids' help line, and a bowlathon that is held every year to raise money for the phone line. Mr. Speaker, in a perfect world every child would be loved and safe. Unfortunately, that is not the case. In fact, each year thousands of children run away from home, some from abuse, some in anger at their parents. Thousands of others are in desperate situations in their homes. Many years ago, a kids' help phone was created. Kids in trouble anywhere in the country can call this toll-free number. The number can be found wherever kids might be: in the schools, on mailboxes, on the bus depots, and drop-in centres. Every year the line gets calls from kids who need help to get out of a bad situation at home or on the street. Kids' help phone has been a life-line for many kids in trouble, but it needs money to operate. On Saturday, February the 22nd, the annual bowlathon for kids' help phone will be held in the Northwest Territories. Every year the NWT raises more money per capita than the other provinces and territory. This is done with the assistance of the Elks Lodge, who matches dollar-for-dollar money raised, up to $25,000. Once again, this year, there will be a number of people participating here in Yellowknife, including the Yellowknife MLAs and, hopefully, Mr. Todd, who will be filling in for an injured Premier Morin. I would like to add here that a few years ago, Mr. Morin was not the Premier at the time, but he raised the most money of any individual in the N.W.T.
-- Applause.
Mr. Speaker, if someone approaches you, anybody, to sponsor them for this bowlathon, I would ask them to please to do so to help the kids. This year, Debbie Euchner is co-ordinating the events in Yellowknife and I would like to thank her for her efforts. Thank you.
-- Applause.