Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize Mr. Mike Gonet for receiving the 2020 Northwest Territories Hospitality Award. Mr. Gonet's commitment to tourism in the Deh Cho and the NWT did not go unnoticed by a lot of NWT residents who took advantage of vacationing in the NWT due to COVID this past summer. Today, I want to share my personal appreciation for the time and dedication that he and his staff displayed. I would like to emphasize the significance of him and his staff being recognized as one of the top operators in the NWT. The quality of life in the Northwest Territories would undoubtedly be diminished without selfless individuals like him and his staff, who take it upon themselves to provide an experience of the NWT that will be unforgettable.

I would like to share with you some of the comments that were shared in his nomination:

"A great big thanks to the welcoming staff at the park."

"Friendly and loving people, their welcome made the experience better."

"Well-kept grounds and friendly staff."

"Mike is just an all-around genuinely nice guy who is extremely hard-working and really cares and takes pride in his work."

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity of stopping in the Blackstone park a couple of times this past summer, and it was amazing how much work had been done to improve the park and make this day more enjoyable. During both visits, I witnessed Mike and his staff engage with park users to see if there was anything that they needed to make their stay much more enjoyable. As well, I heard from other Northerners throughout the summer about their positive experience with him and his staff.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank ITI for recognizing the meaningful work that he and his staff did this past summer. I believe this will help bring more visitors next summer to see the hidden beauty of this park it has to offer, and given the experience firsthand of Mike and staff's hospitality.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to serve and represent them in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, and I cannot state my gratitude enough to justify the importance of excellent service they provided in the region and in the NWT. I'd like to ask you to join me and give them a big round of applause. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause