Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as most of us know, the 2007 Canada Winter Games will take place in Whitehorse, Yukon, over the next few weeks and many of our constituents and even a few of the Members from this House will be making the trip to the Yukon to join in this sports and cultural extravaganza.
The original concept for the Canada Games first arose in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1924, and for more than 40 years it remained a frequent subject of discussion. Finally, in 1966, in Quebec City, the governments of Canada and Quebec gave their joint approval to hold the first of many Canada Games. The following year, 1967, was the birth of the games and this year, 2007, it will be the first ever Canada Games to be held north of 60.
The games motto is "Come Celebrate Winter" and what better place to do this than in northern Canada. I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, today to thank our government, the federal government and other NWT sponsors for their efforts and financial support making it possible for Team NWT to be part of this great event. An estimated 3,500 athletes, artists, coaches and officials will be participating in the games. Of the 237 NWT representatives taking part in this event, I would like to recognize the Hay River South participants and wish them good luck in their respective sport competitions and to those who will be exhibiting their talents and abilities as artists and coaches at these games.
From Hay River South, best wishes to: Coady Duncan for badminton; Brendan Green for cross-country skiing and biathlon; other biathlon participants: Amy MacDonald, Brian Swallow and Doug Swallow; for curling: Gary Hoffman; for women's hockey, Sabrina Broadhead, Carisa Broadhead, Michelle Daigneault and Cali Groenheyde.
In men's hockey: Kyle Biggar, Brett Stewart, Michael Taylor and Cole Miltenberger; in the national artist program: Christine Morgan; cultural program: Julia Pokiak-Trennert; a member of the mission staff: Quinn Groenheyde; and, finally, our distinguished youth ambassadors from Hay River: Riley Boden and Stephanie Kimble.
Congratulations to all of these people for being accepted to participate in the Canada Winter Games and best wishes for a successful and fun filled experience. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
