Debates of March 16, 2004 (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today I made reference to the Arctic Winter Games and for myself, Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games are very important both to the North and to the residents of the Northwest Territories. Apart from athletes participating in the games, there’s also an awful lot of interest generated in who is going to host the games and where they’re going to be hosted from year to year. As the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs may be aware, there are competing interests right now as to where the next Arctic Winter Games would be held. I know a lot of this rests with the international committee, but I was wondering if the Minister could inform the House as to whether he’s met with the international committee during the Arctic Winter Games this year and how this meeting went. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Zoe.

Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I did have an opportunity to meet with the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. There was concern raised by a group of people south of the lake in regards to the bidding process. The policy that the international committee has does not really comply to the needs of the people that want to put a bid forward. I did raise that concern with the Arctic Winter Games Corporation International Committee and I’ve asked them to see the possibility of amending the policy so that other members across the Territories can have a fair chance of bidding for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games here in the Northwest Territories. I did raise that concern with them and they will be replying to me in writing in the near future. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if this government doesn’t agree with the decisions or the policy that comes forward from the international committee, what avenues do we have to object to any of their decisions or influence a decision that they’re making in policy or any other decision as far as the international committee is concerned? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated, I did raise that issue with the international committee. I’ve ultimately suggested to them that this was a big concern for some residents in certain regions of the Territories that want to put forward their bid. I asked to see the possibility. As you know, 2008 is quite a ways away from now and I’ve already had an opportunity also to talk to the people from south of the lake regarding my discussions that I had with the international committee. We are waiting for a formal response from them and I’ve made a commitment to the people south of the lake that once I receive that correspondence I will share it with them and we’ll proceed to the next step. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge the fact that the Minister says the next games are not until 2008, which is quite a ways away. In actual fact, when you’re planning for the games and make commitments to host the games, four years is not that long a period of time. I would like to get a commitment from the Minister though that the international committee did not close the door on another proponent. I was under the impression that they had said pretty well flat no, that they weren’t willing to change the policy. Is the Minister committing that they are willing to look at the policy again, possibly making changes as to who can host the games? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of MACA, Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m making a commitment to the honourable Member for Hay River North that I am going to pursue this further. As soon as I receive the formal response, as I’ve said, I’ll share it with the people from south of the lake to see what avenues we can take to continue to try to convince the Arctic Winter Games International Committee to change their policy. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Delorey.

Supplementary To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that answer and I look forward to that information coming forward. Maybe when that information comes forward -- or maybe the Minister can tell me right now -- when the Arctic Winter Games were first established, who made the decisions on where the games were held and when was the international committee established? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Zoe.

Further Return To Question 6-15(3): Bidding Process For The Arctic Winter Games

My recollection is way back in 1970 when the Arctic Winter Games were first introduced it was with Commissioner Hodgson, the Governor of Alaska and the Premier of Yukon who originated these games. In terms of your other question on the international committee, the international committee is a separate corporation that was set up so that it’s an arms-length away from all governments. We wanted them to undertake these games so that it’s all fairly done in all regions in the three, when it was initially started, Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories. Now, in that each jurisdiction appoints two members to the international committee, in our case, today, the government appoints one for the Government of the Northwest Territories and we also have one from the private sector. Thank you.