Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the importance of getting and retaining good, qualified recreation workers in our communities. As you know, recreation staff play an important role in the positive development of our youth, as well as contribute to overall community wellness with the delivery of effective sport, culture and recreation programming.
Mr. Speaker, many communities struggle to find and retain good, qualified recreation staff. Often they hire unqualified local individuals. Often these individuals, who have the passion and athletic skills, lack the theory and practical training needed to effect the delivery of programming to the youth. Some of the reason is pay. There is no secret that many of our community recreation staff earn far less than what they are worth — or, for that matter, often earn less than many other community staff positions. For example, in Fort Resolution the starting wage for a recreation worker is $15 an hour, and in Lutselk’e a recreation worker makes $18 an hour. That’s about 30 per cent less than what other community workers make.
With the booming diamond industry to compete with as well as higher-paying jobs elsewhere, communities are constantly struggling to find and keep good, qualified recreation staff. We all know about the benefits of good sports and recreation programs. We are healthier individuals and healthier communities. We hear this from time to time in MACA’s “Recreation and Sport in the N.W.T.” report, and again in the “Northwest Territories Sport Direction 2000” and yet again in their “Partners in Action: Sports and Recreation Direction for the Nineties” — and any other reports since, Mr. Speaker. Are we doing all we can as a government to back up our words?
Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker; thank you, colleagues.
Are we doing all we can to support our communities? It’s true the government has a number of recreation and youth programs available. What good are they if the communities cannot take advantage of them because they do not have qualified, properly trained recreation staff? Healthier individuals, healthier communities, are only possible if we have the right people working to deliver these programs.
Later on I will ask the Minister of MACA questions on this.
