Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to travel back to my riding this weekend and I would like to congratulate the 20 graduates from the Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson.

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I would like to encourage each and every one to continue on with their education and that path and also take on the concept of lifetime learning. I think it's important that they all take advantage of the many opportunities we have in the Northwest Territories and especially what we have to offer.

Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, I travelled to Aklavik to see firsthand the effects of the flood from last week. I had a chance to talk to my constituents and also work with the different agencies on exactly what it's going to take to resolve this problem. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of flood damage to individuals' homes and also the private property and also the infrastructure in the community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the mayor, his council, the many volunteers and the RCMP for their long hours that they've put in over the last week just to ensure that people were able to be evacuated safely and also be able to get them back home.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Inuvik for the hospitality that they gave to the residents of Aklavik when they hosted them last week. More importantly, I'd like to thank the mayor, his council, people in the emergency measures staff, especially John Picek in regards to MACA and his staff, and also the Department of National Defence for allowing us to use their base out at the airport. With that, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank all the departments and agencies I may have missed, but, more importantly, I'd like to thank them on behalf of the people of Aklavik for their support and say mahsi cho. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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