Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the citizens of my riding for putting their trust in me as their member of Parliament.
My thanks go as well to my wife Donna and my children Shane, Jake and Mei Mei for their loyal support.
I thank my colleagues here, in this noble House, for their warm welcome. I hope to make many new friends here, on both sides of this House.
The riding I represent is the fourth largest in Canada in land size, is one of the most spectacular places on earth, and has one of the longest names to match.
One can find productive pulp mills in Powell River and Gibsons; highly sensitive environmental areas in Sechelt and Bowen Island; majestic scenery in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler; and, throughout our riding, business people, scholars and athletes of international acclaim.
Speaking of athletes, I would like to point out that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring the world to our doorstep.
I invite my fellow hon. members to come visit us in Canada's Olympic riding.