Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Members know, Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) are hosting a national conference. The 11th Annual Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving are having a conference in Yellowknife in March of next year. We are going to see about 500 young people gathered from across Canada to focus on the issue of drinking and driving. The last time I spoke on this issue, Mr. Speaker, SADD had raised $70,000 toward this conference. They have now raised in excess of $100,000 through government, corporate and community support.
I would like acknowledge the commitment of our government through the Minister of Youth, the Honourable Roger Allen, and the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Vince Steen, in particular for their efforts through their departmental initiatives and correspondence with federal and provincial counterparts in promoting this event. The Ministers of Health and Social Services, and Education have also shown great support for this event. I hope it will continue and I look forward to further updates on their progress in supporting this conference, Mr. Speaker.
I am informed that organizations are endeavouring to have community involvement across the Territories with at least two students, hopefully more, along with an adult advisor from each community in the Northwest Territories. Good progress is being made on participation from Hay River, Fort Smith, Rae-Edzo and Norman Wells. Information packages have been sent to each of the schools across the Territory and there is special travel support for the first six communities registered and in today's Yellowknifer, Mr. Speaker, there is further information.
We are all aware of the tragedy that can occur when alcohol and motor vehicles are mixed together. In the last ten years or so, drinking and driving has been a contributing factor in 60 percent of the fatal collisions in the Northwest Territories. People across the Northwest Territories are all too familiar with the personal tragedy resulting from drinking and driving. This is not a new message, Mr. Speaker, but it is well worth repeating.
I would ask each Member of the Assembly to encourage participation from their communities in this conference. Show your support. This is one event where youth can make a positive lifestyle change and show leadership where it really counts. Thanks, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause