Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had the pleasure of meeting William Alger, a young, 20-year-old man who was born and raised in Fort Simpson. He shared with me his journey as he discovered his goals and objectives, embracing his passion of his vision of developing a positive impact on the community of Fort Simpson and the North as a whole.
William graduated from Thomas Simpson School in June of 2016. Upon graduation, William was employed in the community in various positions. It was not until June of 2018 that he had the realization he would like to focus on a career in agriculture and what academic programs could afford him the ability to realize his dreams.
William, this past year, attended Vancouver Island University. He was enrolled in upgrading with the vision to register and complete the four-year tourism management program. Upon completion of this program, William plans to move back to Fort Simpson to pursue agriculture and business through online courses. William appraises to start a homestead in Fort Simpson to grow fresh and affordable produce. William's futuristic goals are to begin raising cattle and other livestock. William researched and explored possible funding opportunities through federal funded government programs and to begin such a venture.
William expressed how his initial movement for these initiative ideas were created by witnessing the hardship faced in the community with the cost of living, transportation costs, all part of the high cost of living. William began working on a farm, where he realized creating these same services and opportunities up North are doable. While William was working on the farm, he met his academic responsibilities with an attempt to continue educating himself while gaining knowledge regarding the farming industry.
William's motivation to establish on the premises that nutritional food is an actual necessity, regardless of the location. William recognizes unnecessary struggles Northerners face in attending nutritional food. William feels it is extremely unfair to charge northern people extremely high amounts for food, which is a basic human need. William's vision is positive, comes back to the community, and makes a positive impact, witnessed its flourishing growth through agriculture, which is an untapped resource.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend William Alger for his visionary approach to our community and look forward to witness this positive and innovative changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.