Good afternoon, colleagues. Thank you to Ms. Brace and her grades 3 and 4 choir from Mildred Hall School for their wonderful rendition of O Canada.

Colleagues, today we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the national flag of Canada. It was on February 15, 1965, that our iconic flag, with its distinctive red and white maple leaf design, first flew proudly on Parliament Hill in our nation’s capital. In 1996, February 15th was declared

National Flag of Canada Day to mark the introduction of Canada’s national flag.

At its inauguration in 1965, the Speaker of the Senate declared, “The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion.”

Since 1965, the flag, as a symbol of Canada, has become known the world over and is associated with the Canadian ideals of democracy, freedom and respect.

Maple trees are not common in this part of the country. However, we proudly fly our Canadian flags across the Northwest Territories as a symbol of unity with fellow Canadians across this country as well as those representing our country around the world.

Later this afternoon in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly, the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Mr. George Tuccaro, will host a reception marking the 50th anniversary of the

Canadian flag. All Members of this House and all members of the public are invited to attend this celebration of our flag and the great country that it represents.

Please join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of

the national flag of Canada.

Thank you, colleagues. Orders of the day. Item 2, Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Ramsay.