Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Today I rise once again to talk about our youth. On numerous occasions I have taken this opportunity to bring attention to our youth concerns. I have talked about the need to assist communities so they can deliver community based programming. I’ve talked about youth projects. I’ve talked about the need to put youth related facilities in smaller communities. This is very important.
Mr. Speaker, I talked about the importance of hiring qualified youth workers. Hiring is the first step, and being able to keep these individuals is a critical factor for successful youth programming. The communities need this help. I talked about how communities are best suited to know what works for their youth. Communities need to be engaged right from the start. They are the experts. They know the families. They know the issues. I talked about the benefits of successful youth programs, including health benefits for youth, social and justice benefits for the communities, educational and economical benefits for the NWT. A successful youth program results in healthier individuals, healthier communities and in the long run a healthier NWT.
Mr. Speaker, some communities are delivering successful youth programs; however, more often than not these can be found in the larger centres. It is rare to find this level of success in small communities, but when you do, it is usually because the community is lucky enough to have one local individual who is dedicated to the community and the youth.
Having attended the successful Aboriginal Sport Circle award dinner last week, I was once again reminded of the importance of youth. At this time I would like to congratulate the Aboriginal Sport Circle on the tremendous work they are doing with the NWT youth.
Mr. Speaker, in light of some of the success stories here, I feel that our government is still not taking the youth issue seriously. Our youth budgets remain low. Communities still need to hire and retain qualified youth workers. Small communities need to build facilities for their youth. Smaller, isolated communities need help to send their youth to sporting events. An example: a team from Lutselk’e to play Super Soccer here in Yellowknife will cost $4,000.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
