Wendy Bisaro

I have just one last comment. That is good to hear. I imagine most communities are reasonably happy with the amount of capital funding they get with the gas tax money and Building Canada money. They probably have almost more than they need at this point, although nobody would ever say that out loud, except me, I think. I just want to express my appreciation to the department that they have recognized this need and that it is going to be dealt with. That is all I have.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t have a lot of questions. I want to express a concern and perhaps hear from the department what they are doing about it, but my concern has to do with, again, the infrastructure that communities are receiving from GNWT and the need, then, for communities to look after those buildings and to fund the operation and maintenance of those buildings. Tied in with that is the fact that as buildings need to be replaced, communities need the extra funding to do those capital building, capital replacements, capital cost replacements.

But I am more concerned about what...

I think the reference to the residency requirement had to do with allowing for temporary absences. I don’t believe the question addressed the length of residency that is required to allow somebody to vote in a municipal election. So I’d like to ask the Minister again whether or not that particular section of the act, the length of time that’s required for a resident to live in the community or make it, sorry, not the community but make it the Territory. Will that be addressed? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. I think he realizes that I have some questions with regard to the Local Authorities Elections Act. I mentioned that there were some consultations done. There was a discussion paper put forward. I think the end of consultation was in February or March of this year. I would like to know if the Minister can advise what the results of that consultation and that discussion paper are. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted.

And because they’re healthy, they’re active.

This government should be encouraging a trend of active seniors, but the recent refusal by the Minister responsible for Seniors to provide the necessary funding for the 2010 55-plus Games supports neither this trend of active seniors nor this Assembly’s goal of healthy, educated people.

Past actions indicate that the NWT is committed to participation in, and funding of, multisport games. The 55-plus Games is one more avenue for our residents to benefit from multisport games. We know that Sport North is willing to take on the job of administering these...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last week we’ve heard a number of Members express their disappointment in the refusal of this government to provide financial assistance to NWT senior athletes for the 2010 55-plus Games to be held next August. I want to add my voice to those of my colleagues to protest the action, or lack of action, on the part of our government.

That this government can’t afford $50,000 to support NWT seniors in their attendance at these games is inexcusable.

To the Minister, then, if the Minister won’t change that mandate and it is going to stay focused on youth for funding through the Sport and Recreation Council and lottery proceeds and so on, I would like to know from the Minister whether or not there is any possibility that he will take the lead, canvass four or five different departments and find $5,000 to $10,000 from each of these departments that will assist our seniors. Thank you.

That is, unfortunately, the answer I expected from the Minister. I appreciate that there is a focus on youth, but I have to remind all of us, the Minister particularly, youth become adults, and adults become seniors and elders. We need to keep them active. It has been stated earlier by another Member that active seniors reduce our hospital and medical care costs.

I think the Minister said that he might look into providing funding for seniors if this is something which is going to be ongoing. It has been ongoing for about four or five games now. What will the Minister do to find the $50,000 to...

I thank each of my colleagues. The rest of the $300,000 was garnered through fundraising and individual athletes’ personal contributions. I expect the Minister of MACA will follow the lead of the Minister of Health and Social Services and also refuse the request for funding from these athletes. If that is the case, and no one department can bear this huge burden, then maybe the Ministers of MACA, ITI, Health and Social Services plus the Minister responsible for Seniors and the Minister responsible for sport, these five can split the $50,000 and ante up $10,000 each.

Last week the Minister of...