Kieron Testart

Well, if it's not about spending new money, maybe we can ask the Minister if he will commit to avoiding any cuts to our already excellent support for youth and sport in the Northwest Territories.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I spoke earlier, athletes from the NWT, including many from my own constituency, will be competing in the upcoming Arctic Winter Games. It's evident that we are giving the necessary support for athletes competing in these games, but what about other athletes throughout the Territories who have not been so fortunate as to gain entry into these games?

Cynthia Simmons, a proud Northerner and an amazing speed skater, is competing for a chance at gold at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games this week in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. In fact, she is the sole...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I definitely did not get a commitment, but I look forward to working with the Minister on these discussions going forward. I do think, as a champion of sport and youth, though, this should be an area that he finds easy to support, so I'll ask again if he’ll remain committed to sport and recreation in the Northwest Territories through enhanced funding, or at least keeping funding the same.

I know that the Minister is very keen on sports and a real champion. In fact, recently he committed almost $25 million to build the athletes' village for the Canada Winter Games.

---Laughter

Given that, will the Minister commit to allocating some of those funds and improving our programs for sport-oriented training and healthy community initiatives, in particular for youth development in the Northwest Territories?

Mr. Speaker, the 2016 Arctic Winter Games begin on March 7 in Nuuk, Greenland. This will be the biggest event of its kind in the history of Greenland. Sixteen sports will be held in Nuuk with a hockey competition held in Iqaluit. The games bring together young athletes from all over the circumpolar world in friendly competition, and it is an opportunity to share in the rich cultures of northern regions around the world. The games celebrate sport and social exchange in northern communities and are an incredible opportunity for those living and often remote areas of the world to build...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I guess this is in relation to some questions I asked earlier in the House, but under the line item for policing services, does that include rent for RCMP or housing costs for RCMP? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Just to repeat, the Minister can confirm that the RCMP will pay 100 per cent of the costs for renting those units?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question would be: what will happen to the existing stock of RCMP housing? I believe it's over a hundred units. That seems like a sufficient amount and I can't image that they all are in a position to be demolished. I'm sure there's some units we might be able to use. Can the Minister update us on what the quality of the stock is and what the plan to dispose of it is? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We've heard a lot about how our priorities have to be tempered by our fiscal restraints. I think there's a concern for many people that if the Housing Corporation is overreaching with new projects we may not have enough resources to go to very important social housing. Would the Minister tell us where this money is going to come from and whether or not it is confirmed spending?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm satisfied if it can be confirmed with me outside of the Chamber. Thank you.