Mr. Silver: I also rise today on behalf of the Yukon Liberal Party to pay tribute to National Police Week, which runs from May 11 to 15.

Police Week began in Canada in the 1970s as a way to connect citizens with their local police force. We also use the week to honour members of our local police force and to thank them for the hard work that they do in the line of duty. Here in Yukon, the RCMP, or the North-West Mounted Police as they were known at the time, had a long history and are closely tied to stories of the Klondike Gold Rush. Inspector Charles Constantine was sent to the Yukon to report on activities in 1896.

Constantine correctly forecasted the coming of the Yukon gold rush and as a result, enforcements were there to set the law and order and Canadian sovereignty was enforced. Now the Klondike Gold Rush, for all of its character and stories of debauchery, was one of the most regulated and peaceful gold rushes, thanks in no small part to the work of the NWMP.

Today the RCMP still maintains a strong presence in our communities, with detachments in almost all of our communities. The RCMP deploys 135 officers throughout the territory. They volunteer at our community events and they raise their families here. On that note, it is worth noting — and I would like to add my voice in here as well — our thanks to Chief Superintendent Clark for his participation at the vulnerable peoples forum, which absolutely showcased his personal commitment to finding solutions. It absolutely deserves recognition here today.

Also, in Dawson City, Sergeant Dave Morin and his wife Natasha and their family — they are perfect examples of community approach to law enforcement. They are a wonderful family and Sergeant Morin is such a positive male influence to our community.

The detachment in Dawson had their barbeque today in sunny Dawson. I hear that it was a complete success, with many folks from all walks of life coming to show their support and to enjoy the day with our officers and the staff. I hope to do the same thing tomorrow here in Whitehorse, with the Whitehorse detachment.

As we pay tribute to National Police Week, I would just like to say thank you. Thank you to the brave men and women of Yukon’s RCMP for their continued efforts in keeping communities safe and for the sacrifice that they knowingly make every single day.