Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, October 18th, is a significant day for women. The reason and the history is as follows. On October 18, 1929, the British Privy Council, which at the time could overrule the Supreme Court of Canada, declared the term "qualified persons" in section 24 of the BNA Act to include women. As a result women were therefore eligible for appointment to the Senate. This decision was rendered after a lengthy legal and political struggle known as the Persons Case. Each year the Governor General's awards in commemoration of the Persons Case are presented on or around this date. Some NWT women who have received this award include the late Agnes Semmler, Elizabeth MacKenzie of Rae and Bertha Allen of Inuvik.

I congratulate all women in their ongoing struggle for equality and particularly those who have dedicated their lives to this cause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause