Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while I was watching the closing ceremonies of the 19th Winter Olympic Games it provided me with some memorable thoughts of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games in which I participated. The memory of the atmosphere and the new friendships that were developed of which some remain today.

One important way of keeping the Olympic flame glowing in the minds of our young athletes is to give them the opportunity to compete in games of their own. Mr. Speaker, today I want to convey that very real message to my young constituents of Inuvik Twin Lakes who are destined to participate in the Arctic Winter Games in Nuuk, Greenland or in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

I want to personally congratulate and extend my most heartfelt good wishes to the Inuvik Twin Lakes competitors in each of the following categories: in speed skating, Alyssa Carpenter and Chris Lennie; in hockey, Kelly McLeod and Phillip Harry; Arctic sports, Paden Gordon-Ruben; dog mushing, Josephine Arey; cross-country skiing, Shaylene Allen.

Part of the mission's staff and regional coordinator is Theresa Ross, who is now scheduled to participate in the Arctic Winter Games as an official.

Mr. Speaker, these games provide enormous motivation for the competitors from my riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes and I know they will do very well. Like the 19th Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the Arctic Winter Games will inspire these athletes to compete in their own circumpolar games, develop new friendships and they too in the future will pass a similar torch onto others.

I want to wish the athletes from my riding of Inuvik Twin Lakes the very best of luck and do enjoy the competitions whether you are in Nuuk or Iqaluit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause