Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last fall, many residents of the Northwest Territories were saddened to learn of the death of Al Woodhouse. Mr. Woodhouse taught in the eastern Arctic for many years before moving into a career in hotel management. After he left teaching, he continued to support the local school by working with teachers on various projects and providing work experience for students at the hotels he managed. Mr. Woodhouse was a role model who showed how the school and community can work together to provide the best education possible for young people.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to informed this Assembly that an educational bursary has been established in memory of Mr. Woodhouse. The bursary has been set up and will be administered by the Iqaluit Rotary Club and the Nunavut Research Institute. This partnership is appropriate, since Mr. Woodhouse was an active member of the Rotary Club and often promoted science education and research.
The objective of the annual bursary is to assist students from Nunavut to obtain post-secondary education in the sciences, technology, engineering or the application of traditional knowledge in science which can be applied to future work in Nunavut. Selection will be based on the future aspirations of the applicant for a career within Nunavut, their academic record and financial need. About $30,000 has already been donated to the bursary fund. Organizers are hoping to reach the $50,000 mark, at which point the bursary will be self- supporting. Each award will be about $2,000 and will be based on annual interest drawn from the principal.
Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the Iqaluit Rotary Club, Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut Research Institute for their vision in establishing the Al Woodhouse Bursary. It is an excellent way to honour the memory of someone who was committed to serving his community and who worked tirelessly to promote education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause