Madam Speaker, this past March I was pleased to join with the Premier, the Minister of Health and Social Services and the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to launch the Get Active NWT Community Challenge.

This campaign, which runs during April, May and June, is a friendly challenge to Northwest Territories residents to register the time they spend being physically active for a chance to win a $5,000 grant to support their community recreation program.

We are now past the mid-way point of this campaign, and I am extremely pleased to report that more than 6,000 residents have registered for the Get Active Challenge. This represents over 14 percent of the population in the Northwest Territories who have made the commitment to be physically active.

Madam Speaker, we have observed some outstanding efforts by communities and individuals during the campaign and I would like to take a moment to recognize a few:

Enterprise and Wrigley have each registered 100 percent of their residents;

Fort Providence has an 86 percent participation rate; and,

Deline and Fort Good Hope have participation rates of 68 percent and 57 percent respectively.

Individuals also reported an inspiring amount of physical activity in April:

In Rae Edzo, students at the Chief Jimmy Bruneau School logged over an incredible 13,300 hours;

In Wha Ti, an elder logged over 50 hours; and,

Throughout the Northwest Territories, several individuals logged between 60 and 80 hours.

Madam Speaker, as impressive as these numbers are, we also know that there are many individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle all year long. It is important to acknowledge community residents who maintain an active lifestyle through a traditional way of life. There are many people who hunt and fish to feed their families, or heat their homes by collecting and burning firewood. Many residents take part in community feasts and drum dances. These are all forms of physical activity and deserve recognition.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge the Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association. This organization has formally joined the Get Active NWT Community Challenge, and is promoting active living through their membership and to communities through healthy living workshops.

We value the support of non-government organizations like the Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association in our goal to promote and support healthy lifestyle choices.

Madam Speaker, there are five weeks left in the Get Active Challenge. I encourage every resident of the Northwest Territories to get involved and I look forward to even greater participation when we renew the challenge in 2006. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

---Applause