Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We were fortunate enough and very privileged enough to see the launch of a new campaign, a unique campaign to combat the alcohol and drug problems that we have in our communities. The My Voice, My Choice campaign that was launched today in the Great Hall was something that was very interesting, and I was really happy to see that launch and be part of something in the whole scope of things that the departments and government have been working on for years, and that’s in the area of prevention and working to educate our youth and our community members on making healthy choices.
One of my programs, when I first got into the workforce, I was asked to do a keynote address to a bunch of youth. I was only about 23 at the time. My keynote address was on the power of choice. I was speaking to about 300 youth and I told them the best choices that they can make are their own. Everybody has a very unique power and that power is the power of choice. Don’t ever let anybody make those choices for you. Stand up and make your own decisions and make sure that they’re positive, healthy choices. Today in the Great Hall I was really fortunate and very happy to see that the youth across the NWT stood up and are making the choices on their own merits.
Earlier this week I made a Member’s statement reassuring the youth that the government has not given up on them. Today the youth reassured me that they’re working in the best interest for themselves and the future of the Northwest Territories and becoming leaders of tomorrow today. That’s one of the statements that one of them said, was we have to start today and not tomorrow. Very strong words coming from youth and something that this government should follow in the next four years so that we can move forward for the people of the Northwest Territories.
At this time I would like to thank and commend all the departments that had something to do with this, all the hardworking staff that you guys oversee and support, and all the hard work that they have been doing over the last few years to make sure the government runs very smoothly and works for the best interest of the people of the Northwest Territories; more importantly, the hardworking staff and volunteers and community members that implement these programs. Just as importantly, the youth for embracing these programs and moving forward with it.
Speaking of youth, I’d like to commend all the hard work of our Pages from Inuvik Boot Lake: Vanessa Lennie and Karly King Simpson.
I, too, would like to wish the people of the Northwest Territories a safe and very happy and merry Christmas.
Thank you, Mr. Moses. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
