Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, myself and some of my colleagues in the House, including yourself, had an opportunity to travel to Fort Simpson last night to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2007 NWT Winter Games being held over this weekend. It was great, once again, to see the level of excitement in all the eyes of the youth who were able to participate in such a fun-filled weekend of sport and recreation that is geared towards fair play, fun and friendships.
Mr. Speaker, raising the level of participation at this event has always been a challenge for the various organizations that partner up and make it a success and a memorable event for all the youth attending. I commend them for all their hard work in ensuring that every community has an opportunity to participate without worrying about the financial or logistical nightmare such a large gathering presents, especially here in the North.
What we don't see, Mr. Speaker, is the disappointment in the eyes of the youth in the communities that could not attend simply due to the fact of finding one or two chaperones or volunteers to accompany their contingent of participants at this event. To me, Mr. Speaker, this is a very sad and selfish excuse which cannot wipe away the many tears of despair in the youth that have received such news of cancellation.
I hope that the communities that could not send their youth for something that seems like the least of their worries does not hinder the enthusiasm of all the potential athletes in our small remote communities for future events of this nature, and that all NWT communities embrace this type of opportunity which allows the youth to grow both socially and physically in a positive sport and friendship environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause