Debates of November 29, 2007 (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this question is addressed to the Minister of MACA. Ms. Bisaro spoke earlier this week about the Arctic Winter Games and the benefit the 2008 games will provide to Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories. One of the biggest challenges for the games has been the need to raise enough funds to host the games as expected by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee. The budget for the games is $6.6 million. Of that, $2.6 million has been contributed through various other government organizations -- federal, territorial -- which leaves $3.1 million. Fundraising for $3.1 million has been done through businesses both in the Northwest Territories and Canada, which leaves a shortfall of $901,000. The host society is projected to raise an additional $476,000, which leaves us with a total shortfall of $425,000. Some months ago, in June, the host society submitted a request to MACA for an additional operational grant in the amount of $425,000. As of today, there’s been no response to this request. The host society has entered into a critical period of cash flow and needs the GNWT to respond to the request and provide a cash grant as soon as possible. So my question to the Minister is, will the 2008 host society receive approval for the necessary operational grant and when can they expect to receive the cheque? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Michael McLeod.

Return To Question 64-16(1): Operational Grant For The Host Society Of The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the host society for the Arctic Winter Games has been doing a very good job and they’ve done a good job in raising a lot of the funding that’s been required. A request has come forward, as the Member has indicated, in the latter part of the summer. We are now bringing it forward to my Cabinet colleagues for discussion and we will be reporting back to the host society sometime in early December. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Abernethy.

Supplementary To Question 64-16(1): Operational Grant For The Host Society Of The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further, to the Minister, the host society is in a planning phase; they’re going to be delivering the games in March, which really isn’t that far away. If they could get some sort of commitment that they will be receiving the money, then they can continue with the planning. If they’re not going to be getting the money, they’re going to have to cut programs, which is going to affect the overall delivery of the games. So I would like a commitment from the Minister to get some sort of response to the host society as soon as possible, as early in December as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 64-16(1): Operational Grant For The Host Society Of The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had that discussion with the host society. We have indicated to them that we will respond early in December and we’re having those discussions ongoing right now as we speak, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Abernethy.

Supplementary To Question 64-16(1): Operational Grant For The Host Society Of The Arctic Winter Games

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If it is approved, when do you think the money might be able to flow, or when does the Minister think the money might be able to flow to the host society? Because, as I said, they need the money; they need to get going and we want this to be the best games possible, so cutting the money would be a real disappointment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I don’t know if the Minister wants to give his thoughts on that. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 64-16(1): Operational Grant For The Host Society Of The Arctic Winter Games

Mr. Speaker, that is a hypothetical situation and question, and a loaded one at that. Mr. Speaker, we’ve indicated to the host society that we’re dealing with the issue right now. Hopefully we’ll have an answer as soon as possible; early in December. They’ve conveyed that they need an answer and we hope that the results of our discussions is not going to result in them cutting back programs. But at this point I can’t confirm that we will be providing the money; we’re having those discussions. Thank you.