Debates of February 10, 2023 (day 136)

Date
February
10
2023
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
136
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O’Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Question 1347-19(2): Recreation Support in Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, you know there are some communities some community governments are funding recreation programs by renting out their sportsplex. For example, when you go to Behchoko, you will see Tlicho government department situated in the sportsplex. They're renting out space so that they can fund their recreation program.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister confirm if there are active recreation departments or centres in every community in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for MACA.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is rec facilities in every community, whether it's a community hall, small gym, gym, rec centres, curling rinks, hockey rinks there. So if that's what the Member's looking for, yes, that's what's in these communities. Thank you.

Well, I can tell you Gameti does not have one. So can the Minister commit to ensuring every community has an active recreation department that is provided with an adequate budget that provides organized sports, sports activities? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we work with the municipal governments. We do have staff there. Gameti has, my understanding they have a school gym. They also have an outdoor rink that's covered. So there is facilities there. And we do provide funding in the communities for after school activities as well, whether it's the rec department or the school that offers these opportunities. But we're more than willing if there's a community that needs help, then we're more than willing to work with them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

What is MACA doing to ensure that all communities have the resources they need to provide sports and recreation; i.e. a sports centre in Gameti? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, each community builds their own capital plan. They provide what facilities they want. Each community sometimes have just only a small community gym. In my riding, I have a community that has a small community gym. That's it, a small hall. So each community provides that opportunity, builds their own capital plan to provide that opportunity to build facilities in their communities. So we work with the communities. We have staff that work with them on their budgets and capital plan. We move forward on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.