Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that, like the Minister had said, he has been exposed to other types of funding. Federally, it may even be CanNor, because I know that in the smaller communities you can build small facilities for lower costs just for the same type of track conditions that are in Hay River. But in Fort Simpson we’re talking about a full standard track, and that’s probably a couple hundred thousand dollars. That’s the capacity that they’re asking.

Moving forward, will the Minister help us do a capacity estimate, as it were, to create a new track?

I’m glad there’s some flexibility as the Minister has said. There are just some new changes to the rules.

What other ways does the ministry support track and field in NWT communities? Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member’s statement I spoke about the Grade 6 class in Bompas Elementary, so I would like to recognize them here today. It gives me great pleasure that they have taken the time to drive over to Yellowknife. I just want to say, as well, to the students there that their names will be in Hansard, an historical document. Your names will be in Hansard for the next hundred or more years. I would like to welcome teachers Leanne Josie and Bernie Leader, chaperone Martina Isaiah, and the students: Fayth Sibbeston, Etanda Hardisty-Beaverho, Tamara Lennie...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to recognize the exceptional youth of my riding and thank them for making their voices heard. Firstly, in the gallery today I have 13 students from the Fort Simpson Bompas Elementary School whom I will be recognizing later today. I hope you’re enjoying the speeches called Members’ statements today. Because we just started, they are taking much longer, and I thank you for your patience up there.

In the first week of May, like Mr. Speaker said, young people from across the territory gathered here at the Legislative Assembly for the Youth Parliament. That included...

Much has been said about some extra money for infrastructure. I was wondering if the ministry can consider that moving forward, because I know that, like I said, I referenced finding some funds to help our schools with playground equipment.

I wonder if we can work towards finding a small pot of additional funds to assist communities in creating track-type facilities as well.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to ask the Minister responsible for Sport and Recreation and Youth some questions about track and field that I raised in my Member’s statement earlier today. I noted that, of course, Hay River is hosting the prestigious NWT Track and Field event next week and it’s actually their 25th anniversary, and our children from the small communities look forward to those track meets. However, my concern, as pointed out by the Grade 6 students, is that back in the smaller communities they don’t have proper practice facilities. In fact, in Fort Simpson they would...

We all know the importance of physical activity and how it affects a positive educational outcome. The more exercise our students get, the better they are at learning. I look forward to the day that Fort Simpson students can train on a track of their own.

During question period, I will be asking questions with regard to working toward getting a track and field facility for the community of Fort Simpson. Mahsi cho.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I guess he’s calling it facilitation. Apparently there’s a process laid out. I guess the Dehcho is willing to go down the facilitation road or mediation road.

How does this process kick in, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you very much. I’d like to thank the Premier for that answer, but that’s not the position that the Dehcho First Nations has seen or had seen.

I’d just like to ask the Premier once again – I think on Monday I noted his great negotiation ability – does the Premier see a way to get back to the negotiating table? I know, like any negotiator, Mr. Premier of course doesn’t want to negotiate in the media, but he must have a way in order to continue the talks. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to go to item 7, oral questions, on the Order Paper. Mahsi.

---Unanimous consent granted