Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to bring a bulletin from the finish line of the Canada Winter Games in New Brunswick. NWT skiers again show their skill and strength, Mr. Speaker. Two more medals were earned this morning. Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith...
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Yeah, let's give them some applause! Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith brought in the bronze in the women's 10 kilometre pursuit race, and Mike Argue from Yellowknife also added a bronze in the men's 15 kilometre pursuit. Mr. Speaker, Mike adds this to the silver medal he fought for from among 60 competitors on Monday in the men's 10 kilometre classic ski race. This makes three medals for the NWT contingent, so far. It's the first win that we've had at the Canada Winter Games in 20 years and I am especially as proud to carry this news, Mr. Speaker, as Mike who is with his parents John and Marsha down in New Brunswick. The thrill and excitement of the moment at the finish line shrieking through loud and clear at the finish line when John phoned me with the news this morning... And did I mention that the Argue family are constituents in the riding of Great Slave? Both Sarah and Mike won't be coming home right away, Mr. Speaker. They are going on to other national and I believe international events for the NWT and for Canada.
Over the next two weeks, this week and next week, Mr. Speaker, the NWT contingent of 72 athletes, coaches and support staff will be competing in eight games and their numbers include a three-person arts delegation. We are proud of all of them for doing their best and for representing the NWT so well, Mr. Speaker.
I have a little bit of time left here, and it is perhaps no coincidence that these wins for the NWT coincide with the news we hear from Mr. Steen, the honourable Minister for sport in the NWT that we have a new deal, a substantial deal to help us with our sports strategy across the North and I am really looking forward to what this $106,000 is going to do here over the next three years, including the ski team, which I'm sure that Sarah and Mike are going to be part of. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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