Shane Thompson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Member for the question. I can tell you right now she's probably not going to like the answer, but I'm going to tell you what it is. As we developed the regulations, lease costs are part of that process. It's been taking us longer because we're going through a new process called working through the intergovernmental council land and resource management legislation development process. So we need to be working with our Indigenous governments, and we're going back and forth. Lease fees and I can tell you right now, lease fees were the top issue that were...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm going to have to clarify something here. Our regional recreation coordinators do go away to the communities. They do work with the schools. They do work with the recreational staff. They come in when they're invited, when they're new so they get into that there. In regards to hosting territorial events, yes, there was some confusion out there. But, again, it got fixed. Territorial organizations work with the communities to see if they want to host it, if they're able to do it, if they've got the venues, they got the places, accommodations for the food...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was very exciting to be at the Arctic Winter Games this year. It was the first time in five years that we've had it because of COVID and the situations like that. So the department of Municipal and Community Affairs works with Sport North, the Aboriginal Sport Circle, Mackenzie Recreation Association, Beaufort Delta Recreation Association, and the Territorial Sports Organizations to develop and foster coaches and athletes in the communities. The department also supports Sport North by having the MACA regional recreation coordinators work with the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the 2023 Canada Winter Games are going to be held in Charlottetown, PEI, on March February 18th to March 5th. So we do have a team coming from the Northwest Territories. Some of the athletes that did attend the Arctic Winter Games are part of the Canada Games team. There is a selection process, but there is a number of new athletes as well that are able to participate at that level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think MLA Semmler would probably say she was the most important person, and she was there, and she did a great job representing the Northwest Territories there. Municipal and Community Affairs regional recreation coordinators are actively involved in sharing information to all the communities. That's with the rec leaders; that's what the SAOs or the band managers. So we get that information out there. I can also confirm information on the selection process and deadlines were shared numerous times. As well we work with the schools to get that information...

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending and refereeing the Paul Stipdonk Memorial Soccer Tournament. It was the first time since the pandemic cancelling the last couple of years. As I stated previously in this House, this tournament is a bit unique in that we don't keep score, teams are mixed up, and we do not have a winner or loser. The focus is on the youth having fun and playing the sport; something the namesake was all about. Besides playing the sport, the youth are given the opportunity to attend a skills competition event on Saturday.

This year we had...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm going to age Jackie a bit here or the Member from Nunakput. I've actually known Jackie since when he was in high school in Inuvik so we had that opportunity to meet him and his mother, and it was great, that opportunity. And by 1994, I had seven children so, you know, it's very active, you know, getting stuff done. So in regards to making that commitment, yes, I'll make that commitment to get that information, you know, making sure that I give him the data that, you know, what programs are out there, when they were developed, and how much is there so we can get...

I was hoping it was for the Minister of Lands but I guess that's me too, so. I thank the Member for this. I've had conversations with the Member, and he's very passionate about giving that opportunity for the youth in the BeauDel. There used to be an organization called the Beaufort Delta Recreation Association. And they would be able to get together with the communities and have these conversations about how they would be able to offer regional events, working with the schools, and whether it was winter/summer and that there. So unfortunately I've been advised that this organization doesn't...

Wow, I think he's just trying to go on a run here. I don't know if I can keep on saying yes because it's starting to hurt me here.

Madam Speaker, I understand that NGOs are seeking multiyear agreements for their organizations. I recognize these agreements support longterm planning and provide security that organizations require to hire and maintain staff. The NGO Stabilization Fund, however, has never provided core funding. It exists solely to provide shortterm support to organizations who require assistance to stabilize management or operations or address extraordinary costs. Contributions are...

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the value and benefits of sport and recreation of youth opportunities sits really deeply with me. When I was 12 years old, my mother got me involved to become a volunteer and I've been volunteering ever since. I also spent 28 years in the field of sport,rbc recreation and youth. And some of the programs that we developed are still here today. And it's been very beneficial. However and I can commit that MACA is continuing to work closely with organizations who work with youth to help develop broad programming including cultural program so that we have...