Mr. Speaker, a priority of the 16th Legislative Assembly is to work with families, communities and schools to improve the physical and mental well-being of our youth. An investment in the development of one of our most important resources, our youth, will help us achieve that objective.
The Youth Secretariat, within Municipal and Community Affairs, continues to promote healthy choices and lifestyles by improving youth programming in the Northwest Territories. Two new youth officer positions have been created in regional centres to provide support for all NWT communities and improve our ability to deliver on this commitment.
Mr. Speaker, MACA continues to deliver the Positive Role Models Program. This program involves positive role models from a variety of sectors travelling to our communities to deliver healthy lifestyle and positive choice messages to youth. In addition to the two new regional youth positions, existing staff, such as four-time Olympian Sharon Firth, are an integral part of this program.
The department is supporting additional regional youth conferences to provide a forum for youth to discuss important topics such as leadership and making healthy lifestyle choices. It is anticipated that several hundred youth will have the opportunity to participate in these events.
Mr. Speaker, one of the unique new elements of our youth programming will be the involvement of participants from prior youth initiatives. Over the past three years MACA has supported the participation of hundreds of youth from across the Northwest Territories in initiatives like the Youth Ambassador and the Northern Youth Abroad programs.
Many graduates of these programs have expressed an interest in being involved in future projects and helping other youth seek out positive opportunities for their own development. The department will now be actively recruiting these young leaders to participate in upcoming role model tours, youth conferences and other youth related events. While we assist these young people in achieving their goals, we will help develop the next generation of community leaders.
I ask Members to join me in expressing our appreciation and continued support to all youth of the NWT.
Applause.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
