Colleagues, today I found out I'm now a senior. Today, I'd like to recognize Mr. Roger Pilling on being selected as the 2024 elder volunteer. He moved to Fort Simpson in February 1988 from Fort Reliance where he was a weather observer for 18 months. Roger quickly became part of the community joining the curling club right away, then the slo-pitch league in the summer, then the Fort Simpson fire department in February 1989.

I had the opportunity to meet Roger in Fort Simpson at a ball tournament in the summer of 1991 and in Hay River in 1992 while my team from Coppermine was participating in the NWT slo-pitch championships. He was playing ball, umpiring, and helping run the tournament wherever he could help. I moved to Fort Simpson in 1992 and saw firsthand his involvement in the community.

Roger was a hydrometric tech with Environment Canada measuring water levels, water flows, and water quality. His job provided support to the community, especially during the spring breakup time when people worried about the flood. This is only a small impact of what he had done for the community.

Roger has volunteered for many things over the years - curling, ball, golf, ski trails, umpiring, archery, and supporting his children's participation in events. One of his biggest contributions has been as a member of the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department where he has been a firefighter, training officer, lieutenant, deputy chief, and chief. He volunteered for over 36 years and still counting. He has thousands of hours training, fighting fires, rescues, and ambulance calls. Roger's always there to answer the call and to help people.

Roger and his wife Val have two children, Tyler and Madison. Volunteering is a family affair. If one of them signs up, the rest of the family is volunteering too. They believe that you need to not just be in a community but part of a community. Your community will only be as strong as your help.

Recognizing the time, I'd like to have the rest of my Member's statement deemed as read and printed in Hansard.

Roger is retired from his job with Environment Canada but is definitely not retired. He can be seen throughout the community doing a variety of things - cutting grass at the golf course, driving the school bus, making curling ice, towing people out of the ditch, teaching learn to curl, grooming the ski trails, running tournaments, and much more.
Roger's hobbies are golf, hunting, curling, and sledding in the mountains. I'm not sure which is his favorite. He is always willing to help anyone who wishes to take up these activities.
Roger contributions make him, and outstanding NWT resident and we are lucky to have him in Fort Simpson.

I would like to congratulate Roger on a well-deserved award.

Members' statements. Motions. Member from the Sahtu.