Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back. I would love to say it is great to be here, but right now I empathize with the kids who are back in school after their summer vacation. That is not because I do not love the work we do in this beautiful Legislature; it is just that Hay River is such a beautiful place to be in the summer.
You know, if you are a geologist or someone else who just loves rocks, then I am sure Yellowknife is a great place to be in the summer, too. Personally, I love Hay River's lush greenery, spending hot days on our long stretches of sandy beaches, watching eagles fish as I canoe down the East Channel, playing on our beautiful golf course with its stunning views, socializing and buying fresh local produce and fish at the Fisherman's Wharf, taking day trips to some of the most spectacular places in the NWT, and watching breathtaking sunsets over the Great Slave Lake.
On top of all that, the Hay Days Festival made its triumphant return this summer. The five-day festival had musicians from across Canada performing in the streets and on the beach. It had art workshops for all ages and all levels. Combined with the Canada Day long weekend, the air show, events put on by the town, tourism operators, and other local organizations, there were eight straight days of nonstop activities and events. I commend all the volunteers and organizers who made it happen.
However, Mr. Speaker, I want to let my constituents know it was not all fun and games. I was in my windowless constituency office every day dealing with constituents' issues and concerns, many of which I will be raising in the coming days.
I also made an effort to reach out and meet with more local organizations. Over the summer I met with representatives from the town, the Seniors' Society, the RCMP, Arctic Winter Games Committee, Friendship Centre, Fishermen's Federation, the Northern Farm Training Institute, the Rangers, and so on. I also made a point to meet with local businesses, including retailers, manufacturers, farmers, fishermen, and more.
Because this job extends beyond the borders of Hay River, I also attended the Dehcho assembly in Fort Providence, the swearing in of the new Tlicho Grand Chief, the Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees conference, Opportunities North, and the signing of the MOU between the NWT and Alberta, where I gave Premier Notley the same sales pitch about summer in Hay River that I just gave you and invited her to visit.
All in all, it was a busy, productive, and fun summer, and it is a shame that it is ending. Luckily, Hay River is a great place to be in the winter, too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.