Wendy Bisaro

Thanks to the Minister for that update. I expect that I will probably be asking what “soon” means later on, but I would like to ask the Minister first…The residency requirement wasn’t really addressed in the discussion paper. It was referenced, but somewhat obliquely. I want to know from the Minister whether or not there will be an opportunity once results of the consultation are out, whether there is an opportunity to go back and discuss particularly the residency requirement eligibility for voters section. Thank you.

Thank you to my colleagues. Amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act were contemplated earlier this year. MACA produced a discussion paper and held consultations. I hope that the residency requirement was addressed through that process. I look forward to seeing the results. I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs later on. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been over a week since municipal Election Day. As with any competition, there were some winners and there were some losers. I offer my hearty congratulations to the newly elected mayors and councils and a sincere thank you to all of those who ran, winners or not.

In my Member’s statement prior to the elections, I encouraged residents to get out and vote, and to get out and vote in large numbers. Well, that didn’t quite happen, but we did have an increased voter turnout in at least three of the six communities where elections were held. Previous years' election...

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 don’t want to thank the Minister, because I didn’t really like that answer. The Minister said that we do, and I stated as well, we do support multisport games. The Seniors 55-plus Games are a multisport game. There aren’t many adult multisport games. I would encourage the Minister to rethink supporting seniors versus supporting adults, because I don’t think we have adult games. I would like to know from the Minister, considering that these 55-plus Games are a multisport game, will the Minister consider in the future on providing funding through the Sport and Recreation Council to fund it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are addressed to the Minister for sport, also the Minister of MACA. I had a few questions in my statement. I would like to repeat them here in the hope of getting a positive answer. Does the Minister realize that the multisport games buck stops at his desk? Will he be more receptive to the 55-plus athletes’ request for financial assistance? Thank you.

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.