Thank you, Madam Chair. I am going to start by thanking MLA Dolynny for bringing this issue forward in the way he has done. Knowing him for some time, sometimes it does feel longer than just the 15 or 20 years, but he is relentless. The typical spirit he has when he has something in mind and when it’s important, it’s almost one of those things just to stay out of his way. He’s going to get it done. I’m grateful. He really picked up this issue and I can tell you today, we wouldn’t be talking about it without his spirit.
I remember the little Viking he’s talking about and what a situation that was. It was very heart- wrenching for everyone. It’s his family, but it’s also other families that need this opportunity, this gift of life, this gift of hope. This wasn’t won easily, and as MLA Dolynny has said, there are many people who have tried to break ground or make tracks on this issue. I think there’s also a situation maybe as Member Yakeleya said, we were right as in we’re at the right time for it. Like anything, we’re always enthusiastic and want to do things as soon as possible, but sometimes it just takes a while to get there. I want to deeply and sincerely thank MLA Dolynny for being the guy who’s been willing to carry the weight of this journey to now where we are today.
I want to thank the department for coming through and following through on this. This is an important initiative that will bring hope for many Northerners. It’s difficult to say who, because you just never know. You may be the one who needs this assistance. I can tell you the family knowing that mechanisms like this are coming into place, it’s difficult how to qualify how grateful and appreciative they will be. Sometimes just getting an extra month, a year, maybe five or 10 years out of somebody who may be lost before their time is amazing. Like anything, it’s what you do with it.
I’m just going to say this has been a challenging issue. I’m thankful for Mr. Dolynny’s relentlessness on this issue. If it hadn’t been led by him in the support of everyone – because it does take everyone at large – we may not be here today. It was great work. It was fantastic work. Thank you.