Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, the history of the north is filled with people working together and helping others in times of need. In fact, much of our culture is based on our sense of community and on our reliance on each other in order to survive. I believe that as a community, Yellowknife must now, more than ever, embrace the rich northern tradition of relying on each other. Yellowknife has taken its fair share of hard knocks in the past few months. The decrease in gold prices has hit the city hard, as it has resulted in layoffs at Giant Mine and Con Mine, and it is having an economic impact on individuals and businesses with ties to the mining industry. Mr. Speaker, the recent layoffs at local mines represent more than just a job loss for individual families. There is also a loss to our community, as a whole, as these workers and their families are valuable not only for their economic contributions, but also for their contributions to the quality of life in our community.

Therefore, I believe that it is vital we do all we can to help keep these skilled workers and their families in the north. Mr. Speaker, as a Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, I have asked Mayor Dave Lovell and city council to give serious consideration to the proposal put forward by some of the mine employees who live on mine property to ensure they can keep their homes. I have also spoken and written to the Honourable Manitok Thompson asking that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs cooperate with the city in this process. Mr. Speaker, I have also written to Yellowknife bank

managers to ask them to take into account the circumstances faced by these laid off workers. I have urged them to consider each individual situation and to exercise as much flexibility as possible. As well, Mr. Speaker, I pledge to do whatever I can, as a community resident, as well as in my position as the Member for Yellowknife Frame Lake, to help support and keep these skilled workers and their families in our community and plan for brighter days ahead. I urge every other resident of Yellowknife to also help in any way they can. Mr. Speaker, while there is nothing we can do as a community to make the price of gold rise - although I must say, that the news this morning was positive - we can look to and get ready for future opportunities in the resource development sector. Mr. Speaker, by pulling together, we can help these individuals and make a difference in our community and in doing so, prove yet again that when the going gets tough, northerners stick together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause