Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the National Youth Safety Conference hosted by the Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The conference will be held in Yellowknife on October 22nd, today, the 23rd and 24th. Over 110 young people from across the country between the ages of 16 and 24 will be arriving in Yellowknife to sharpen their safety skills in the workplace.

This will be the first National Youth Safety Conference hosted North of 60. The conference is called “What if You Couldn’t.” It’s aimed at instructing young workers about the tragic, long-term effects of on-the-job injuries and how to increase workplace safety so that injuries do not occur.

Over the course of the three days, participants will gain skills and knowledge about workplace safety that they will be able to share with co-workers once they return to the worksites. I was pleased to hear that Yellowknife has the honour of hosting a national conference of this value.

Given that industry in the Northwest Territories is booming, I find it appropriate that a conference on workplace safety is happening in the Northwest Territories at this time. As we rush ahead with these heady days of development, it is important that we, as leaders, work with industry to ensure that the safety of workers remains a top priority.

I took a look at the schedule of events for this conference, Mr. Speaker, and I was pleased to see a number of local industry reps who will be participating in this conference: Diavik Diamond Mines will host one evening; Beaver Enterprises, together with the community of Fort Liard have collaborated for an afternoon session. Both of these sessions are called “Walking the Safety Talk.”

In addition, presentations will be made by nationally-renowned leaders in safety, and young workers who have had the experience of being injured on the job. Employers will participate in the National Youth Safety Conference, as well, Mr. Speaker, gaining insight into the specific needs of young workers and their responsibility to meet those needs. I have no doubt that this conference will serve as an important learning tool for both young workers and their supervisors alike. I would like to welcome the participants to Yellowknife. I hope they have an informative and enjoyable time, and are to take their new safety skills back to their communities, when the conference is over, for the safety of everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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