Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am going to speak on behalf of my colleagues, the honourable Members, Charles Dent, Roy Erasmus and Seamus Henry, the MLAs for the city of Yellowknife. On Saturday night, we took part in the Kids Help Phone Bowlathon, an annual event organized by the NWT 5-Pin Bowling Association. The bowlathon raises money for a national toll-free telephone service which offers counselling information and referrals to children in need 24 hours a day.
I am pleased to report this year's bowlathon was a great success. It raised $19,900. The Yellowknife MLAs raised $4,500 altogether.
-- Applause
We collected $3,000 in pledges. BHP matched our efforts at 50 cents on the dollar for a $1,500 donation.
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Our colleague, Mr. Erasmus, deserves special mention. He alone raised $2,200 in pledges.
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I would also like to mention Dustin Fisher, a student at Sir John Franklin High School. Dustin earned the highest score among the teams that bowled with us in the six o'clock time slot. And we were good! While we are singling out people, I would like to give a big vote of thanks to the 5-Pin Bowlers' Association, which helped raise more than $100,000 for the Helpline. Special thanks also go to the Yellowknife Elks Club which donated $25,000 to the cause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause