Thank you. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member's statement. Are there any nays? There being no nays, Mr. McLeod, you may conclude.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, since the economic development agreement between Canada and the Northwest Territories expired in 1996, program dollars for economic development of small projects have been considerably reduced. The reduction in funding severely restricts small business initiatives and start-ups.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Small Business Week, I urge this government to reflect and consider the important contribution made to our economy by small businesses throughout the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, recognition, although important, is not sufficient to address the problems faced by small business. We must be committed to actively pursue with Canada financial support needed to promote and assist small businesses in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about a highway toll, but it is a different one than we have been talking about in the past few days. I want to talk about the toll taken on our society because of drinking and driving and the deaths and injuries that we sustain.

October 16th was National Students Against Impaired Driving Day, Mr. Speaker, and you and our colleagues will recall the very visible and very sobering example of what can happen as a result of getting behind the wheel when we are drinking when the students who are active here in Yellowknife parked a wrecked car out in front of the Legislative Assembly for a few days.

Last year, the NWT sustained four motor vehicle deaths, Mr. Speaker, all of them alcohol related. There were 18 other accidental deaths in the NWT and eight of those were alcohol related.

In 1996, the national initiative was undertaken, the National Strategy to Reduce Impaired Driving. In that were a lot of tougher standards to help jurisdictions deal with this terrible problem, but we have not yet acted on this in the NWT. Organizations such as Mothers Against Drinking and Driving and students have organized and worked hard to do their part. We have seen evidence of that here in the NWT in dry grad celebrations, the CYAID national conference here in Yellowknife. As well, chapters of SADD are set up in Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Norman Wells, Yellowknife and other schools. The young people are doing their part and we in this Legislature have to look at where we can do our part.

Last year, the MADD organization, Mothers Against Drinking and Driving, gave our jurisdiction a failing grade. This year, they upgraded it to promising because there were promises that we have some tough new laws coming in. Students want to see tougher blood alcohol limits, Mr. Speaker. They want to see zero tolerance for drinking drivers under the age of 19. They know they are making a difference. They are appealing to the legislators and the government to do our part.

They need the endorsement and the support to help continue their work. This government has a pretty good record so far of helping, but we need to do more. I will be asking the Minister more questions later on today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Antoine.

Mahsi, Mr. Antoine. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to give my sincere thanks and to recognize the generous spirit of Yellowknifers, whether they be residents, small businesses or large corporations, in the way they volunteer, participate and sponsor numerous fundraising events.

This spirit is demonstrated all year round, Mr. Speaker, but it might be fair to say that things really start with a big bang in the fall. This year is no exception. In the month of September, there were major fundraising events almost every weekend. It started with the Terry Fox Run, which was held on September 16th under a clear blue sky and warm temperature, which helped bring to life our heavy hearts following the September 11th tragedy. The run raised over $30,000.

On the same weekend, the community came out in full force again to raise $40,000 for the firefighters lost in New York. This was followed by the 8th Annual Aids Walk the following weekend and the CIBC Run for the Cure for breast cancer the weekend after that. The latest figure from this event was $140,000.

That is not all, Mr. Speaker. The very following weekend, on October 16th, the community came out again for the Stanton Hospital Multicultural Dinner and Silent Auction, where the organizers surpassed their goal of $10,000 that they had set for themselves.

Mr. Speaker, so many individuals are involved and the names of those people cannot be mentioned here. I feel very bad about that. May I just close by saying my sincere thanks to everyone who participates in these events in any capacity. I know that we Yellowknifers are truly generous people and I am proud to be one of them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Item 3, Members' statements. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with pleasure I rise today to acknowledge a constituent of Yellowknife South who has impressed me with her desire to help less fortunate people in our world. Her name is Bridget Dunne and she is a second-year student taking environmental science at the University of Guelph, Mr. Speaker.

Recently, she was accepted as a volunteer in an organization called Youth Challenge International and she applied to do volunteer work in a remote region of South America called Guyana. She will be going to Guyana in June of next year.

Mr. Speaker, she is one of 30 youth selected from a large number of applicants by Youth Challenge International to represent Canada. She will be joining other youth from Australia, Costa Rica and Guyana. They will all be working on community-based projects for a ten-week period. These projects are varied and can include work related to the construction of schools and health posts, developing efficient water supplies, working with local people to preserve and reclaim rainforests, uniting indigenous youth in workshops from various villages and also delivering local workshops on health issues, such as HIV and AIDS prevention and providing support for positions in hospitals.

Mr. Speaker, upon completion of her work with Youth Challenge International, she will return for yet another challenge, to put her experiences into positive actions to enhance her community. So on behalf of my constituency and this Legislature, I wish to congratulate Bridget Dunne on being selected to represent Canada on this unique opportunity and more importantly, to wish her well in her work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery.

At this point, I would like take the opportunity to recognize a former elected Member to the Legislative Assembly, 1991 to 1993, Mr. Bernhardt representing the Kitikmeot. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize five members representing the air cadets here today. Mrs. Jane Leblanc, who is the director of corporate affairs and chairperson of the 60th anniversary celebrations north of 60. With her are Captain Sharon Low and Corporal Paul McKee, who are both from the cadet unit of Canadian Forces Northern Area, and two flight cadets, flight sergeant Fred Sage and LAC Carolyn Crouch.

-- Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Thebacha, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, you stole most of my thunder. I was also going to recognize Mr. Bernhardt in the gallery. We went to school together back in the 60's and he has been a friend for a very long time.

-- Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Delorey.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Lucille Harrington from Hay River. She is a student at Aurora College Community Development Certificate Program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Speaker, (Translation not available). Literally, above me today sits my younger brother, Tony Grandjambe, from Norman Wells Municipal and Community Affairs. Mahsi.

-- Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Kakfwi. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Mr. Speaker, a number of Members have had the pleasure of speaking in the last few days with the Community Development Certificate Program and I would like recognize one of the students, Joanne Erasmus of Yellowknife. Thank you.

-- Applause

Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.