Mr. Speaker, like the Member from Yellowknife North just said, I think that everyone can struggle with their mental health, which is just as crucial as their physical health. For me, an excellent way to make sure I'm taking care of myself, both mentally and physically, is to go outside and touch dirt and then dig that dirt. I love to garden, and it provides me not only with nourishing food but a great deal of peace.
Mr. Speaker, with both session and surgery, I had several interruptions into my favourite summer hobby this year, but after I took some time to heal, I'm pleased to report that I was able to grow many different vegetables, including potatoes, Mr. Speaker.
Back in March, I challenged the Minister of ITI to a friendly competition. She in turn challenged her Cabinet colleagues. The rules were simple. Everyone gets a box of potatoes from Kam Lake's own bush order provisions, and we see who wins by weight of harvest. With your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, here are the total yields by Member.
The Member for Thebacha, 7.3 pounds.
The Member for Yellowknife South, 8.5 pounds.
The Member for Hay River South, 9.6 pounds.
The Member for Kam Lake, 10.6 pounds, though it could not be independently verified if that included the container, Mr. Speaker.
The Member for Great Slave, 16.5 pounds.
Honourable mentions go to the Member for Yellowknife South's radish harvest and the Member for Thebacha's tomato harvest, Mr. Speaker, which I'm told were both extremely abundant. And I have also been told that the Hay River North spent a lot of time shovelling dredge dirt, which wasn't the assignment, but I'm sure benefited his health as well. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. I think Cabinet needs to work with the Great Slave Member to learn how to grow, especially for those people south of the lake which you got all that fertile ground. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
