Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a sunny day in June 2013 – the first day of summer break for Yellowknife students – our Yellowknife suffered the loss of a young, vibrant little seven-year-old boy, Lodune Shelley. Lodune was in a tragic drowning accident at Long Lake beach within our NWT Fred Henne Park. Through you, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, our

sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the families who are with us today.

In the wake of tragedy there is always the opportunity for growth and positive outcomes. This unfortunate event saw the birth of Lifeguards for Lodune, an initiative started by Tanya Silke and a number of heartfelt volunteers who, in their spirit and in their words, came together to encourage community spirit, empower people, get involved and make a difference.

Get involved they did. The volunteer group quickly joined forces with spirited individuals and the business community for supplies, finances and, in some cases, expertise. In no time they were patrolling the beach at Long Lake, being that extra pair of eyes and ears and having on standby that much needed lifesaving equipment. All were volunteers, many were trained in First Aid and all were putting their faith in the hands of the Good Samaritan Act. Looming over their shadows, liability was, and continues to be, the barrier to their ultimate success.

Sadly, during Lifeguards for Lodune’s early phase, they were strongly discouraged by this government to continue, but many in this House and all of Yellowknife were supportive and encouraged them to continue their cause, promising them that we, the elected, would battle for them in this House.

Therefore, I stand here today with many of my colleagues in support in saying, Minister Ramsay, bring back our lifeguards.

Now, we know that much awaited Lifesaving Society of Alberta report will be tabled later today. I haven’t read it yet, but we know from earlier department spokespeople that we shouldn’t hold our breath under water. Many are encouraged and thankful to the Lifesaving Society for providing 33 personal floatation devices at Long Lake beach this summer, but the majority of citizens are discouraged without the single recommendation we all hoped for.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted