Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass on my condolences to a friend and colleague, Calvin Pokiak, on the loss of his sister. It is always difficult when we lose members of our family and friends.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I inform this House of the passing of a northern leader. Pat Lyall was known to many of us as a person of great character, and for his tireless work on behalf of northern people. Pat was in Taloyoak, in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut. Prior to 1999, he served the Northwest Territories and, subsequently, Nunavut with commitment, wisdom and diligence in many capacities.
Most recently, Pat was chairman of the board of the Nunasi Corporation for 15 years, and both chair and vice-chair of Norterra for the same period of time. Pat was an advocate for the furtherance of Inuit people and their culture, and a respected businessman. He devoted boundless energy towards promoting Inuit culture to southern audiences, and raising awareness of northern issues across the country. Raising money for youth initiatives was always on his mind, and he was extremely successful in this regard. He raised an enormous amount of money so northern youth could travel to participate in sporting and cultural activities across Canada, thereby broadening their horizons, becoming more experienced and successful as individuals, and ready to share in a newfound knowledge with their peers. Pat was a dedicated family man, proud of his children and committed to his community. He had a great sense of fun and a ready smile. I would like to offer my personal sympathy, and ask all Members to join me in offering our deepest condolences to Pat's wife, Leah, his family, many friends, and loved ones. He leaves behind a legacy of good work and he will be deeply missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause