Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My honourable colleague, the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment spoke on the importance of the scouting and guiding movement in the NWT. I would like to follow up with a few comments on the importance of that movement here in Yellowknife. This week has been Baden-Powell Week, a nationally recognised celebration of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, the founders of the scouting and guiding movement. Their movement is now 90 years old and in Yellowknife it involves about 350 young people in a range of programs for all ages. As Mr. Dent noted, these programs can take members to jamborees across the country and around the world. Closer to home, members enjoy activities that emphasize outdoor skills, personal development and community involvement.
Tonight, many members of the local scouting and guiding scene will join a torchlight procession from City Hall to the Legislative Building. A reception in the Great Hall in our building will follow the parade, beginning at 6:00 p.m. I hope that those of you who are here today will also be able to attend. If you cannot make it, I hope you will stop by the display in the Great Hall on the history of scouting and guiding in Yellowknife. Another display has been set up in the Panda Mall downtown.
Mr. Speaker, the scouting and guiding movement is an important element in the lives of the youngsters here in Yellowknife. It provides them with a constructive and creative outlet. I, for one, hope that Yellowknifers will continue to support and enjoy the benefits of the movement for many years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.