Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Spring is here and again this year the Territorial Track and Field Championships will take place in Hay River. I just wanted to use my Member’s statement today to once again recognize all of the workers, volunteers in Hay River, who every year put so much effort into preparing the grounds and welcoming these young people into our community for this exciting event.

I have heard, and I’m not positive, but the number of participants grows every year. This year I heard that it’s up to 1,300.

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For a small town like Hay River to host an event like this is remarkable. Of course, we couldn’t do it without the folks who put the effort into getting their students there. It will be amazing tonight again as the teams from schools large and small parade into the arena for the opening ceremonies. It’s an exciting time. I wish them good weather and good luck, and I hope they have a lot of fun.

Again, thank you so much to the volunteers. This year noted in absence, of course, will be someone who was such a huge proponent and supporter of the NWT Track and Field Championships who recently was recognized as Citizen of the Year and has since passed away, and that is John Ashcroft. I wanted to mention that because this will be the first Track and Field Championship without his assistance and I’m sure he will be absolutely sorely missed.