April 1st is a great day for Nunavummiut. And this year is extra special.  Today we celebrate our 10 year anniversary of this great territory.  Each and every one of us has contributed to this creation.  Whether you are in Kugluktuk, Arviat, Grise Fiord, Iqaluit or another one of our great communities, I ask each of you to join me in celebrating our territory.  Today is a day all of us can be proud of. We have accomplished so much, and there is still so much we can accomplish in the future.

On that special day on April 1st, 1999, we became a united territory and made our mark in Canadian history.  I remember the day well. The wind was gusting and the temperature was freezing but those elements did not dampen our spirits as our hearts were filled with warmth, happiness and pride.  It was on that day in 1999 that we gathered to celebrate the hard work and commitment that all of us had worked so hard to achieve.  It is a great honour for me to be Nunavut’s Member of Parliament, the Minister of Health and the Minister Responsible for the North on this special day ten years later.

Our territory is vast in size and rich in resources. But what makes me most proud of our territory is the togetherness we feel.  As a territory, we have faced some good times and some challenging times. However, we have always managed to persevere and that is what helps make us who we are.

On our 10th anniversary we need to look back and see what we have attained, to take pride in what we have accomplished and celebrate our achievements.  If we continue to work hard, we will achieve our goal of becoming a “have” territory that is both rich with people and resources.

Nunavummiut, as your Member of Parliament, I will continue to work hard with this Conservative Government to achieve success for Nunavut.  Enjoy your anniversary Nunavummiut, be healthy and continue to work for our future.  Let us work together to achieve the greatness that I believe our territory is destined for.  Happy 10th anniversary!