Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also have some thank yous I'd like to take the opportunity to share today. Firstly, this campaign period was, of course, delayed because of the wildfires and the evacuations, and I want to start by saying thank you to all of those who supported our efforts in responding to the wildfires, from the firefighters to those who stayed here in Yellowknife to support efforts in Yellowknife to protect the city, the EMO staff, city emergency staff, and so many public servants and volunteers all working together. So much was accomplished, and I am very grateful for everything they did in keeping all of us and my residents and my constituents safe.
I also do want to extend a great thanks to my neighbours, friends, and constituents here in Yellowknife South. Although I was acclaimed, it still is an opportunity for me to go door to door, to do the forums, to check in with people, and I know that many people had a very hard four years and a very hard summer in particular. It was difficult to come off of that for all of us, but I must say that the opportunity to check in with people and receive their response, their support was tremendous, to hear their encouragement was very helpful because politics can be a bit exhausting at times and very emotional, but it is done for the sake of those we represent. And so to have them give me their encouragement and support was something I am deeply grateful for and want to share that with them. So thank you to my constituents.
I'm also wanting to take the opportunity to thank my campaign team. People perhaps don't realize that even when you're acclaimed you do have to prepare for the campaign, you don't know you're getting acclaimed, and I had people standing ready behind me all the way through and I'm very grateful to them.
And last but not least a thank you to my family, my parents, my spouse, my children, my chosen family here in Yellowknife - all of them give me such support and such joy, it makes doing this job easy. And with that, a Happy Holidays to all those here and safe travels to those who have to return home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
