Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to acknowledge the emergency service personnel, particularly NWT firefighters, both career and volunteer members and both municipal and airport squads. Service personnel stand by for us 24 hours a day, seven days week, ready and willing to do dangerous work if called upon. These men and women train and prepare to be ready for action at a moment’s notice. They have specialized skills and knowledge that enable them to do an outstanding job, often in difficult weather and in treacherous locations. They put life and limb at risk to keep us safe and to keep our homes and businesses safe. But sometimes all they can do is control a situation and businesses and homes are lost. Unfortunately, in the course of their work, firefighters sometimes get injured and occasionally fatally.
On March 17, 2005, the City of Yellowknife lost two firefighters, one a veteran, one a rookie, as they fought a fire in the line of duty. They gave their lives for this community as they performed a job they both loved. We won’t be here next Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, so I want to specifically remember and
honour Cyril Fyfe and Kevin Olsen, two exemplary firefighters who were both fatally injured on March 17th , four years ago.
In their memory, I recognize and honour all NWT emergency personnel as they go about their jobs today and every day. To each and everyone I say thank you for protecting us, thank you for taking risks for us. To my colleagues I say as you return to your communities over the next few days and weeks, take the time to search out and visit your local firefighters and thank them personally, and on March 17th stop and take a moment to think of
those who we have lost. Thank you.