Mr. Speaker, this is my first time rising in the House as the member of Parliament for St. John's South—Mount Pearl, and my first duty and wish is to thank my loving family, my loyal friends, my devoted volunteers, and the people of the riding who put their faith in me. I promise to serve them all with honour and with rigour.
The government has moved swiftly in its first days on a matter of crucial importance to the people of my riding, making the announcement that the St. John's maritime rescue sub-centre, closed three years ago, shall be reopened.
I thank Minister Tootoo and my fellow MPs for their hard work and their advocacy.
This centre provides crucial search and rescue capabilities for over 900,000 square kilometres of ocean. It is the protector of those who make their lives at sea, including our fishermen, and the many who work to produce our plentiful offshore oil. Helicopters transport those workers. Beneath them as they fly are Signal Hill, the Narrows, Bay Bulls, and Witless Bay.
I invite hon. members to come and visit my beautiful riding. As our famous tourism ads say—