Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we know, the 2015 Canada Winter Games is currently in full swing in Prince George. In addition to the 2,400 athletes participating over the next two weeks, the Games are expected to attract as many as 20,000 visitors.
Our NWT contingent I know will be great ambassadors for the territory, and like my colleague did yesterday, I want to acknowledge the individuals from Frame Lake who are representing the NWT in Prince George. There aren’t quite as many as there were from Range Lake, but they are certainly just as worthy.
Emily Paddock and Dakota Earle are with our female hockey team, the team that successfully bested the Yukon yesterday. Way to go, girls.
With them is Dave Earle, the female hockey team’s trainer. Paul Green is supporting our biathlon team as the wax tech. Tracy East is the manager for our shooting team. Last but not least, Rebecca Canam is looking after them all as one of the NWT Team mission staff.
The Canada Games have been held every two years since 1967, alternating winter and summer games. The Canada Games is now Canada’s largest multisport competition for young athletes, athletes who are our country’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions. The hosting of the Games moves around the country from jurisdiction to jurisdiction according to a schedule.
In 2007 the Canada Games were held in the North for the very first time, in Whitehorse, Yukon, and now the NWT has the opportunity to host the 2023 Canada Winter Games. It’s a big task but one that Yellowknife and the NWT is well able to handle. The city has proven that capability over the years by successfully hosting many Arctic Winter Games, and what a glorious opportunity hosting the Canada Games is for Yellowknife and the NWT.
I support the NWT and Yellowknife taking on this hosting job, and I anticipate the excitement, the economic boost and the exposure to the NWT that the Games will bring. But that’s to come.
This week our athletes are in Prince George doing their best. I ask this House to wish every one of our NWT Canada Games team reps all good luck. Go, NT, go!