Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Mr. Speaker, I'm fulfilling the commitment I made to some youth ambassadors who are part of the NWT Association of Communities 50th Anniversary Conference. It was great to see them work hard and engaged in the process.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT Youth Ambassador Program was a pilot project at the 2007 Canada Winter Games. With this event being a success, the program had expanded to 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. With the success of these two pilot projects, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs made the program permanent. The amazing part of this program is to watch youth develop into strong leaders through a lead and organized experience, whether it's at territorial events like the Circumpolar Games, national events like the Federal/Territorial/Provincial meeting in the NWT, and international events like the Para-Pan and PanAm Games. It is a model that is recognized by other governments and expanded to Greenland this year, which is very impressive.
Mr. Speaker, at all these events they have an opportunity to develop life and job skills while building on their confidence necessary to deal with challenges that they face throughout their life journey.
Mr. Speaker, I could spend hours telling you stories about some of their feats. With limited time, I want to share one story with you about a young man who liked working late shifts. This young man would spend hours and hours switching shifts so he could work in the evening. At the end of the evening he would actually take boxes of food and come back home to the residence. Unfortunately food would never ever make it back home and we couldn't understand what was happening with this food.
About two days before the end of the event, a fellow youth ambassador came to us and explained what was happening. This young man was taking the food and giving it to people on the street, the homeless, and making a difference. This is the young peoples and leaders of our territories, which I'm very proud to say I was part of.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the events the ambassadors were asked to fill out a form that's called "Describe the Most Significant Change." Mr. Speaker, I've asked and received permission to share one with you here today. Youth ambassadors -- and this is her words exactly: "Youth ambassadors offer a door to endless possibilities and success. For many of us, having a point in your life where you think there is nothing you can do and you feel your life is going nowhere, and then coming to a program and then meet people like MACA sport and recreation staff and peers would make a difference in our lives.” Mr. Speaker, I'd like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
---unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank my colleagues for allowing me to conclude my statement. “Knowing that there are people in the North constantly working towards providing and sharing the opportunity for our opinions and leadership is refreshing, it fills us with the empowerment for change, self-discipline and the chance to voice the thoughts, feelings and solution of the youth. On behalf of all the NWT youth, please acknowledge the efforts of the youth. If we are struggling, mentor us, do not leave us. If we are succeeding, encourage us and do not tear us down. For me, making a difference in the future is a guarantee if I have the support.” Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
