Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for saving the best for last.

-- Laughter

I believe I am the last of the Members to speak here. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honour Seniors' Week this week and recognize all of the elders we have in the gallery today, along with honoured guests. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate and express our thanks to all those elders who were honoured for their contributions during the ceremony earlier today.

I am especially happy to have, for the very first time, the most important elder in my life, my mother, who I will be recognizing later, and also my aunt, who recently moved from Korea.

Mr. Speaker, a couple of weeks ago, I had an opportunity to attend a part of the workshop on elders abuse awareness held at Baker Centre in Yellowknife. I understand there will be a report arising out of that workshop and I look forward to getting their recommendations and acting upon them.

While I was sitting in the workshop, it made me think about the elders in my life. Not only those who are related to me, but elders I see around me. I realize that we constantly rely on our elders: mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and we take them for granted to meet all our needs. It seems to be forever, no matter how old we are or how old they are, and how able we are or how able they are. I know when I walk in the house or whenever I am in need, I expect my mom to be there to give me support.

At the same time, without even knowing that we are doing this, we practice ageism. Like every other "ism" in our society, such as sexism or racism, it is ever so subtle, harmful and hurtful. It is not right.

As years go by, as I come closer to being an elder myself, I am always surprised at how the elders I know have the same goals, dreams and desires. They have expectations about their life. They have great talent and skills and great experiences for us to learn from.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.