Mr. Silver: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of all of my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly to pay tribute to local born-and-raised Yukoner, Stephen Kozmeniuk. As many of you have heard, Stephen is credited as the songwriter and producer on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, which won the best rap album at this year’s Grammy Awards. This is one of the highest accomplishments anyone in the music business can receive, and I congratulate him on that. During the highly publicized Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar performed the song that Stephen wrote and produced, The Blacker the Berry, which became one of the most impassioned and widely discussed songs after its release.

Mr. Silver: I rise on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to the 2016 Dawson City International Gold Show.

Before I begin I would like to thank Monica Nordling for writing this tribute. Monica is the granddaughter of a placer miner, she is the daughter of a placer miner, a sister of a placer miner and she is a geologist. Monica just got accepted into the Colorado School of Mines, one of the most prestigious schools in North America — and she works in our office.

Madam Speaker, this weekend will mark the 30^th annual gold show hosted by the Dawson City Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Dawson, the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association and the Klondike Visitors Association. It is a placer mining industry and consumer trade show that takes place this Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21, in Dawson City.

Mr. Silver: I also rise on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to National Police Week, which runs from May 15 to 21. Police Week began in Canada in 1970 as a way to connect citizens with their local police force. We also use the week to honour members of our local force and to thank them for the hard work that they do in the line of duty.

Mr. Silver: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also rise today on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Today we speak out against discrimination and celebrate our differences. The federal Liberals have introduced Bill C‑16, legislation that will allow for human rights protection under the grounds of “gender identity and gender expression”. The introduction of this type of legislation has been a difficult road — something that has been swept under the rug by many — and it is the first time that a sitting government has introduced this type of bill.

Mr. Silver: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on behalf of all of my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly to acknowledge Hemochromatosis Awareness Month.

Each year in May, the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society holds an awareness month. Hemochromatosis is a disorder that affects individuals having dangerously high levels of iron in their blood. People affected with this ailment are saturated with iron. It gathers in their heart, liver, kidneys, brain and joints. The subsequent swollen kidneys, liver, heart and brain can be debilitating and sometimes fatal, and iron in the joints causes the early onset of arthritis.

Mr. Silver: Thank you very much. I rise today on behalf of the Liberal Caucus to pay tribute to the Yukon and it’s role during the First World War. This week, Heritage Yukon is hosting a conference called, “The North and First World War Conference”, which includes a two-day study tour in Dawson City to explore the roots of the Yukon’s involvement in the Great War.

Mr. Silver: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to rise today on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to National Nursing Week. This year’s theme is, as mentioned: “Nurses: With you every step of the way” — and it could not be more accurate. This week, we pay tribute to the many contributions of nurses, emphasizing just how important nurses are to every stage of life. Nurses play a vital role in our health care system and are often the first persons we meet and, sadly, the last people we see on our journey through life.

Mr. Silver: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to rise today on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to International Day of the Midwife. Each year on May 5, we mark International Day of the Midwife. This year’s theme is “Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery”. The theme highlights midwives, ensuring women and newborns receive the quality of care that they deserve during and before and after delivery.

Mr. Silver: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m also happy to rise today on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to Yukon Mining and Geology Week. Mining and exploration are such an important and integral part of our community. Both contribute greatly to our economy, bringing jobs and wealth and supporting our local businesses. They provide the opportunity for community members to educate and train themselves, creating a more diverse and successful workplace. More often than not, mining and exploration companies will pair with the nearest communities to create a community wellness program. These types of initiatives are just the beginning. The list goes on and on, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Silver: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am honoured to also rise today on behalf of the Liberal caucus to pay tribute to Mental Health Week.

Once again, the Canadian Mental Health Association is calling on us to get loud about mental health, get loud to maintain positive mental health, and get loud to get it back.