Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to voice my support for this National Aboriginal Day and I want to commend the Premier for putting the call out there to the aboriginals and to people across the North to give an indication as to whether or not they wanted to see an aboriginal day and, of course, they came back positive.

I wanted to say that I cannot accept that a National Aboriginal Day, especially when there was a consideration to substitute it for another holiday, I do not think that is something we can consider. I want to commend the Minister, however, for looking at all the options, even the option that he quickly wrote off about looking at half a day. A national aboriginal half-day was not possible.

I do not believe that we have any alternative but to set up June 21st as a holiday. I think there is a real need that we recognize the aboriginal people of the North and across this country. I want to state that most of the communities -- I believe all the communities are celebrating National Aboriginal Day already. Most of the communities declare holidays for the band councils and for the Metis Nations, and most organizations take a holiday on that day. It is only fair that we make it apply to all people in the communities.

I want to say that it is really important to me that we have a day to respect and honour the aboriginal people for their accomplishments, for the history of this country and also honour a day to recognize and celebrate their culture and traditions. I want to say that I am supporting this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.