Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rarely have an opportunity to stand up in this House and talk of positive things and unity, and this is one of the times I have an opportunity. Today I would like to speak about the Inuvik Figure Skating Club's involvement in the Northern Stars 2003 figure skating program. Mr. Speaker, the Inuvik Figure Skating Club was proud to host the Northern Stars 2003 NWT Territorial Figure Skating Championships held on January 31st to February 1st. The club last hosted this event four years ago. Figure skating clubs from Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Simpson, Yellowknife and the Great Slave clubs, both from Yellowknife, also were represented along with the Inuvik Figure Skating Club. There were 65 skaters who competed in the Star Skate competition sanctioned by Skate Canada. Twelve NWT skaters, including one from Inuvik, will be advancing to the Star Skate finals in Whitecourt, Alberta. A fun meet was also held to provide a venue for all skaters from ages two to 24 years to show their stuff, so to speak, Mr. Speaker. All of them came away with a medal and trophy.

The skating competition went smoothly and a banquet that was to be held for the medals and trophy presentations went well. They are proud to say that the Inuvik Figure Skating Club won the best overall club trophy. This event was organized by volunteers, most of them full-time workers and many of them working at this event for the first time. Due to the last minute problem with the caterer, this group of volunteers came together to provide a truly wonderful and delicious northern-style feast. This event could not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and generosity of the club's volunteers and the generosity of our many sponsors in the Inuvik region. We wish good luck to the NWT team going to Alberta. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wish my wife and family back home a happy Valentine's.

---Applause