Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was pleased to be able to participate, along with dozens of other Yellowknife residents, at the launch of the United Way Foundation here in Yellowknife. This launch was kicked off last Wednesday, October 15, at the Fire Hall. The NWT it the 125th member of United Way Canada, Mr. Speaker. This provides another option for each of us to make the NWT and the times we live in a better place.

I would particularly like to commend the many volunteers who work to bring this very valuable part of our community to reality, particularly two constituents of Great Slave, Doris McCann and Bob Haywood. I also want to congratulate Lowell Ann Fuglsang, Don Babey, and Roslyn Smith, the new president of the United Way board, who are all instrumental in making this happen. I think a special thank you goes to former mayor Dave Lovell, who is the honourary campaign chairperson and a consistent believer.

This moving to the NWT would really not be possible, Mr. Speaker, without the cooperation and support of the federal and territorial governments. In this, I want to commend the Minister of Finance and his people for working with the United Way supporters to bring this opportunity to the GNWT's 2,500 employees. Contributions to United Way can mean financial support for agencies in the NWT, in Yellowknife, or any registered charitable organization in Canada. The payroll deductions approach can enable individuals and program participants to better plan their support for community social programs.

Mr. Speaker, we are among the most generous givers in Canada, and here is an even better way for people to plan their giving, help good causes, and even get those much-appreciated tax breaks. The first United Way fundraising campaign comes to a close at the end of this week, Mr. Speaker. I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard to make this a reality here in the North. Thank you.

-- Applause