Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to invite Members of this House to attend the first ever Council of Sport and Recreation conference in Hay River. The Town of Hay River will host this joint partner conference this summer from the 12th to the 17th of June. This meeting is important because it brings partner organizations together for the first time. These partners share the belief that recreation, physical activities and sports programs are very important for the health and well-being of the residents and the communities of the Northwest Territories.

The NWT Council for Sport and Recreation is a fairly new forum created in the summer of 2005. Its 13 members represent the regions as well as the sport and recreation field. The goal for the council is to assist with the development of a collaborative, inclusive approach to sport and recreation in the Northwest Territories. Conference partners are the NWT Parks and Recreation Association, the Mackenzie Recreation Association, the Beaufort-Delta/Sahtu Recreation Association, the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. So there is buy-in for collaboration, inclusion and discussions about common goals and challenges and many reasons to celebrate our successes.

The NWT Recreations and Parks Association works with communities across the territory to promote living, to promote healthy living through active recreation. The Beaufort-Delta/Sahtu Recreation Association alone covers groups and organizations in 13 communities, promoting a broad definition of recreation, maximizing equal opportunity for all to participate in activities of their choice. Another partner is the Mackenzie Recreation Association representing the Deh Cho, supporting cultural activities and sporting events.

Hay River will be recognized as a leader in sports and recreation while the town provides an ideal meeting location to recognize and celebrate the efforts of the five partner agencies and their many members who strive to promote and deliver sport and recreation throughout the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, I hope that many Members of this House will come to Hay River in June and participate in this ground-breaking event. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause