Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I stand to recognize a number of government employees who have reached a milestone in their careers. On February 19th in Hay River, the government paid tribute to 27 employees for their record of long service with the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker, we often take for granted the work of these people. Their professionalism contributes to the building and makeup of our communities. They teach our children in the schools; they run our offices; they maintain our highways; work with adults, youth and victims of the justice system. They keep government facilities and infrastructure in order. These are the people who work for the residents of the Northwest Territories, both day and night, all year long and some of these employees have been performing these duties for many, many years.
Today, I would like to recognize several Hay River South constituents who have achieved long service status with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
In the Department of Justice with five years: Joel Bowker, Darren Dragon, Brenda McAllister, Glen Pangborne, Orrell Sheets; with 10 years of service: Jacqueline Haley; with 15 years of service, Larry Dragon, Robert Haley, Robert Seeley, Raymond Simon; and 25 years of service, Bertha Calvin.
In Education, Culture and Employment with 30 years of service, Alison Kilgour.
With the South Slave Divisional Education Council with five years of service, Sandra Wilkie; with 15 years of service, Darrel Budgell, Doris Camsell, Gerrard Carrol, Linda Gallagher, Brent Kaulback, Dorothy Lirette; with 25 years in our education service in Hay River, Carol Grimm.
In the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development with 30 years of service, Al Helmer.
Mr. Speaker, I salute these people and thank them for all of their dedicated support and service to the Government of the Northwest Territories for contribution to a strong, dependable workforce, which goes towards what makes our communities and territories what they are today and particularly, in Hay River, in my opinion, a very wonderful place to work and live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause