Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s always a pleasure to recognize the achievements of our young people and that is what I am going to do today. I’m speaking of Siobhan Quigg, a grade 11 student in Norman Wells. She is the only student from the Northwest Territories chosen to attend a French for Future Youth Forum in Quebec City later this week. The conference is to promote bilingualism. There were 125 applicants from across Canada and only 30 young people were chosen.
This is a real honour and a real testament to Miss Quigg’s proficiency in the French language, especially since there is not a lot of French spoken in Norman Wells. Siobhan took a shine to the language when she was in kindergarten and was inspired by a French-speaking teacher. She’s been taking French classes since grade 1. Her success speaks to her enthusiasm and hard work in learning French, but also to the great support she had from her teachers and parents. I’m sure they are very proud of her.
Miss Quigg’s trip to Quebec City will no doubt be an exciting one. It will be the first time in her life that she had to speak another language the whole time. It will be a real opportunity for one of our students to enjoy French food, music and culture with her counterparts across Canada.
I’m positive Siobhan will share our Northwest Territories culture with her new-found friends in Quebec and that she will be a wonderful ambassador on our behalf. I heartily congratulate Siobhan and her teachers. I’m sure her fellow students in Norman Wells will benefit from all that she learns during her week in Quebec. Merci, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
