Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to acknowledge the early childhood programs that we offer to preschoolers in our communities. These programs are really important. The early stages of learning and support are continuing education for the rest of our lives. The teachers and instructors in these programs inspire the curiosity that children have when they are toddlers. It is a great thing to see the kids who are given an opportunity to explore and grow in a fun way.

I would like to acknowledge the teachers and the instructors in all the communities, but especially in the Mackenzie Delta. They are very clever in the techniques that they use. Training is important. We need to make sure that we offer good education and training for the people who dedicate their working lives to our youngest children.

That is one way our government can support early childhood programs. We need to support the community-based organizations. For example, if the child care workers were paid better, that would attract our younger people to that field of work.

The education that begins early in their lives will spur our children to challenge themselves and to get top marks later in life. That is how our territory will grow and prosper.

I want to encourage our communities to teach their traditional languages to children right from birth. I know that this is happening to some degree and I want to praise those centres where our languages are taught to our children.

Our government must pay close attention to early childhood development. I want to encourage the departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Health and Social Services. They should do as much as they can as soon as they can to improve the support for early childhood development programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.