Oh, no, we’re having fun here. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and draw attention to International Women’s Day that occurred last week on March the 8th. Mr. Speaker, since I was first elected over four years ago, I have always given recognition to this important day and to women in general, as I believe it is vital to draw as much attention as we can to the issue of gender equality.

I was looking over some interesting statistics provided by the NWT Status of Women Council. Mr. Speaker, according to the 2001 census, there were just over 20,000 females in the Northwest Territories. Women represent 48.2 percent of the NWT’s population. What was frightening, Mr. Speaker, was the statistic that reported that, in Canada, women were assaulted an average of 34 times before going to a shelter. From April 1st, 2001, to March 2002, 295 women and their 321 children used the family violence shelters in the NWT, for a total of 8,747 bed nights. The rate of shelter use in the North is approximately eight times the national average.

I find this appalling, Mr. Speaker. What is especially troubling is that we are on the verge of increased development, which we are all well aware will bring increased social problems. Figures like what we are now dealing with do nothing to convince me that our people are poised and ready for the inevitable social problems that a pipeline or such projects will bring.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of the frontline workers who labour day in and day out at the various family violence shelters around the North. I would particularly like to thank at this time all of the fantastic and dedicated staff at the family support centre in Hay River who work tirelessly to support victims of violence. I would also like to congratulate Ms. Crystal Ball on her recent appointment as executive director at the Family Support Centre in Hay River. I wish her every success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause