Question.

Question.

Please be seated. Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, this time in our northern calendar is always so incredibly busy. These past two months have been no exception. While you have been meeting in this Legislative Assembly, athletes from the Northwest Territories have been competing in the Canada Winter Games in New Brunswick. For the young NWT athletes who travel to these games, this has been the culmination of much dedication and training.

While all NWT athletes who competed at the Canada Winter Games have our support, I wanted to take this time to recognize two skiers in particular whose performances have cast a positive national spotlight on the NWT ski program and whose achievements will be a source of inspiration and pride for those who are following in their trails.

Mike Argue of Yellowknife became the first NWT skier since 1975 to win a medal at the Canada Winter Games, finishing second in the men's 10-kilometre mass -start classical race. Three days later, Mike was on the podium again, this time to receive a bronze medal for his performance in the men's 7.5-kilometre pursuit.

That same day, Mr. Speaker, Sarah Daitch of Fort Smith also won a bronze medal for her outstanding effort in the women's 7.5-kilometre pursuit.

I have long been an advocate of the role that sports and recreational programs can play in the healthy growth and development of our young people. It is for this reason, in particular, that I have been happy to support the launch of ESTEEM Team North. Sport North introduced this northern chapter of the national ESTEEM Team program in November of last year. It allows our high profile athletes to travel to schools with positive and inspiring presentations that advocate healthy choices and positive lifestyles. I would especially like to recognize the participation of Joe Dragon and Sharon Firth in the program, two athletes whose success was a product of the NWT sport and education system. It will be my pleasure to accompany Mr. Dragon and Ms. Firth along with former and current Canadian Olympians and members of ESTEEM Team North in a tour of the Beaufort-Delta March 22nd to 28th.

I was also privileged last month to be part of yet another competition as 13 to 18-year-old junior rangers gathered in Yellowknife from across the NWT to compete in the first ever regional air rifle competition. Directly associated with this event was a ceremony unveiling a Canadian stamp commemorating the ranger program that has so strongly symbolized and represented our northern autonomy for years.

My only regret in being a part of all of these activities is that I was unable to join you here in the Legislative Assembly for the awarding of this year's Wise Women Awards. I would also like to take the time now to recognize the work of the five extraordinary individuals who were chosen to receive the Wise Women Awards this year: Lena Anikina from Tuktoyaktuk, Edith Squirrel from Fort Providence, Florencia Dacanay of Yellowknife, Janet Grandjambe of Fort Good, and Leslie Paulette from Fort Smith.

Each, through her wisdom and experience, has inspired others to achieve their dreams and in doing so, they have provided exceptional role models for our young female leaders of the future. As a society, we must continue to do what we can to encourage the young women in our society to take on greater leadership roles at all levels in society.

As we prepare to leave the House today, I thank you again for your continued commitment to the principles of consensus government. In particular, I would like to commend you for the commitment you have made collectively to give priority to the issue of family violence and the creation of legislation to address this tragic issue in the NWT.

In the coming months, I urge each of you to continue to work together and with the NWT's many communities, its business communities, aboriginal communities, community governments and community leaders.

I pray God will grant you travelling mercies and look forward to seeing you here again in June of this year.

Now as Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills: Bill 1, Legal Registries Statutes Amendment Act; Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Territorial Parks Act; Bill 3, Appropriation Act, 2003-2004; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act; Bill 6, Electoral Boundaries Commissioner Act; Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act; Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Elections Act; Bill 9, Youth Justice Statutes Amendment Act; and, Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act, No. 3, 2002-2003. Thank you.

---Applause