Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are many, many issues that are before this House that we are taking time to debate and discuss. But today it's time to recognize the role of women in our world and in our land and in our homes. As MLA, as a son, brother, father, grandfather and husband, I would like to do that. I would like to honour and recognize the recipients of the Wise Woman Awards. I'd like to honour the women of the North in my community, in my constituency, and in my family.
Mr. Speaker, I know that women do many things that men would find very difficult, if not impossible, to do. It is something that has been said might be taken for granted, but if you ever tried as a man to do some of the things women do basically with one arm, you would know how difficult some of the things are that they do. I've had the benefit of working now in this House for 11 and a half years with the strong women that are currently here. Mrs. Groenewegen and I came through the door together in 1995 and Ms. Lee, beside me, has been here for seven years. We know how women can operate in the political arena. They don't take a backseat to anybody. In fact, they pretty well are often in the front seat...
---Laughter
...and let us know that. Mr. Speaker, there would be no good men without women. It's a reality. I think we should recognize that, take time today to think of the ones that have loved us, and do love us, and support us, and allow us to be here, and recognize how bleak our lives would be if we didn't have the many good women. Thank you.
---Applause