Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to add my congratulations to Mr. Steen and Mr. Miltenberger for being elevated to our exalted positions of Cabinet Ministers. I am confident they will do excellent work there and do an excellent job of representing all of us, Mr. Speaker. However, I would like to make reference to Mr. Steen's promise that he would continue to be one of the Ordinary Members in thought, and sometimes in practice. I think we should hold Mr. Steen to that, because we may, from time to time, need a vote on this side of the House. I think it is important for you to remember that, Mr. Steen, because it was a promise and I think there were Members that voted a specific way in considering that.
I would like to say, Mr. Speaker, that it was a pleasure to be able to take part in the leadership race. Certainly I think it was a good process and one that I enjoyed taking part in. Naturally I am disappointed I did not get elevated to that exalted position, however, there will be another race hopefully in November, in which hopefully I will be able to return and seek a position then.
That particular opportunity this morning gave me a chance, Mr. Speaker, to speak about a number of areas, and one was the need to address a program over the next ten years to address the needs of our youth. I see we have many of them in the House here today, and I think that is a critical area for us to address our concerns. After all, here sit the future leaders of the Northwest Territories. Here are the leaders in the next millennium. People who will be sitting in this House perhaps in ten or 15 years, perhaps in five years depending on their age. I think it is important for this government to dedicate itself to youth issues, youth programs and youth needs. Be they whatever they are, social areas, economic areas. That is what is really important, Mr. Speaker. I think everybody in the territories will agree with me if we do that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.