Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to provide some comments to a Minister’s statement made on Monday by the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Members probably know that I’m interested in sport – sport in general, sport in the North. I was a founding member of Sport North many years ago and I have followed the ups and downs of the administration of sport in the NWT. I was intrigued and somewhat concerned by some of the comments in the Minister’s statement on Monday.
The Sport and Recreation Council of which he spoke was established in 2005 as an umbrella organization for NWT bodies providing sport and recreation to NWT residents. As indicated by the Minister in his statement, there were “some challenges with the process” – I believe those were his words – the last few years have not been smooth sailing. The Minister’s statement indicated that he recently met with the Sport and Recreation Council executive. I have to wonder if the SRC executive and the board are adequately representing the views of the five member organizations that make up the NWT Sport and Recreation Council.
The Minister also indicated an upcoming meeting early in 2012 at which he, the Department of MACA and the SRC member organizations will discuss governance; governance, and roles and responsibilities related to the Sport and Recreation Council members as mandated by the Department of MACA. As I heard those words I had to wonder if the member organizations have had input into their mandates and roles.
If the department is setting direction, setting expectations, outlining goals and objectives to Sport and Recreation Council members on behalf of or for the SRC, I have to wonder why we even need the Sport and Recreation Council. Is it a pseudo-government body? A mouthpiece for the government or department, or a stand-alone authority in its own right?
I have no fault with the Assembly’s goals related to health and physical activity. I believe, as the government does, that they will improve the well-being of NWT residents. I do wonder if the government and the Minister of MACA are giving the proper due to the five member organizations of the Sport and Recreation Council. Is he asking for and welcoming their input? Is he working with them as opposed to talking at them? I’m not so sure the answers to those questions are yes.
I will have some questions for the Minister of MACA at the appropriate time.
I, too, would like to wish you, Mr. Speaker, and all Members and all staff a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
