Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, scores of youth athletes and their support teams are on their way to Red Deer, Alberta to compete in the Canada Winter Games. I hope the Members of this House will join me in wishing the team and coaching staff the very best as they head down to Red Deer to compete and represent the NWT.

Sport is an important means to bring people together, not only within a single community but as a chance for our youth to explore the world they will inherit. It gives them a chance to meet other like-minded young people who have dedicated their time, sweat, blood, and tears to getting to where they are now. Events like these are great for building team spirit and reinvigorating the mind, body, and soul. Sport has been used to bring together communities and can act as a healthy and constructive outlet to counter the ever-increasing sedentary lifestyle many lead in our time. I want to thank Cheyenne Lafferty, Jessica Smith, and Michael Johnston for all their hard work in helping the athletes make attending this competition a reality.

I also wish all the luck to the world to our Kam Lake athletes who will be competing for Team NWT: speed skaters Lance Dizon and Sylvain Rourke; squash player Stephen Messier; Jade Ko in gymnastics; Bailey Johnston in archery; figure skater Victoria Hamm; and, in hockey, Andrew Carr, Taylow Catcher, Alex Cordero, Deanne Whenham, Regan Bulger, Tysen Almond, and Devin Vogel.

Safe travels and best of luck in your competitions. Know that you have our support and that every Member of this House and all of the people of the Northwest Territories will be cheering for you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.