Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak on a part of my life that was very important to me before I became a Member of this Legislative Assembly.
As most of you know, Mr. Speaker, curling was a very big part of my life and I put in a lot of years playing the sport and also coaching and encouraging younger people to take up the sport. My accomplishments in curling have not been all that great but the rewards that I have received from the sport of curling have been quite amazing.
Mr. Speaker, in 1998, for example, I was nominated to represent Canada in a tour of Scotland along with 39 other Canadians to curl in a competition called the Strathcona Cup. I was over in Scotland for 28 days representing Canada and curling against Scottish teams. I am proud to say, Mr. Speaker, that at that time we won the Strathcona Cup for Canada.
About two months ago, Mr. Speaker, I was nominated for membership in the Governor General of Canada's curling club. The Governor General's Curling Club of Canada has only 100 members Canada-wide and it was quite an honour, Mr. Speaker, for me to be nominated to that curling club for my achievements and my input into the sport of curling.
In the recent events in the House, I was uncertain as to whether I was going to take a trip to Ottawa to receive the membership into this curling club. The membership is being presented on November 2nd, which is Friday. Now that things have been settled in the House, I want to inform the House and my constituents at home that I will be absent from this House for the next couple of days. I have decided to go to Ottawa and receive the membership in the Governor General's Curling Club of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause