Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish everyone a happy Canadian Environment Week.
June 1 to June 7 is Canadian Environment Week. Here in Yellowknife it coincides with National Wildlife Week. There are a variety of events being held around the city to promote sustainable environmental decision making and to celebrate wildlife.
Today is National Clean Air Day. It marks the middle of Canadian Environment Week. I’m sure a lot of us walked to work today. The home-grown organization Ecology North’s Transportation Issues Committee invites you to promote clean air and healthy, active transportation options with a one-hour bicycle tour of the diamond capital’s crown jewel: the beautiful Frame Lake Trail. To participate, please meet at the Yellowknife 1 Education District office parking lot, on the corner of Franklin and 53rd, at 5:15 p.m. The group will cycle to the Co-op and back, checking out the trees and birds and, also, trouble spots along the way. The Ecology North Youth Club will be participating in the bike ride and would love to have you join them.
National Wildlife Week this year focuses on pollinators. Environment and Natural Resources is hosting school group activities and displays at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Displays are open to the public from 3:30 to 5 p.m. daily. Check it out and learn about the crucial role of pollinators in our daily lives.
Let’s celebrate Environment Week by taking some positive action to appreciate and protect our natural environment.
As part of the continuing series of workshops on local food production and composting held by Ecology North, there also will be an evening workshop on how to build your own backyard composter. This free workshop will be held at the Ecology North office, next to the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre, on Thursday, June 12, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Looking at the bigger picture, on Monday the Quebec and Ontario Cabinets held an historic joint meeting to discuss a cap and trade system for regulating greenhouse gas emissions. Incredibly, the federal Environment Minister publicly opposed these provinces that are setting their own agenda. Clearly, provincial and territorial jurisdictions must be leaders on this issue and show the progressive response our public is demanding.
Mr. Speaker, the need to understand the environment and to respectfully ensure its well-being must become an integral part of all our activities — from the education of our youth through the delivery of health services and transportation infrastructure.
To all the people of the Northwest Territories: Happy Canadian Environment Week. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
