Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am pleased to provide Members with an update on several initiatives that support the 16th Legislative Assembly vision and goals by promoting healthy choices and lifestyles and contributing to the physical and mental well-being of our youth.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and its Healthy Choices partners -- Health and Social Services, ECE, Justice, Transportation, the aboriginal governments and the Aboriginal Sport Circle -- work with families, community governments and schools to encourage individuals and families to take responsibility for their well-being and to become physically active. Our common goal is to motivate all residents to lead healthier lifestyles. We consider physical activity an important pillar of the Healthy Choices Framework.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to report on a number of initiatives the department announced earlier this year.
First, the new Regional Youth Sport Events Program is designed to strengthen local programming in smaller and remote communities, to support athletes and coaches and to improve youth participation in physical activity. I am happy to announce that the department supported 24 sports events in 19 communities in the first year of the program.
Second, the Active After School Funding Program provides financial support to schools and community groups to offer programming that gets kids moving after school. In partnership with the NWT Sport and Recreation Council, the department is providing funding to the Active After School Program for the second time this winter. The program supported 17 projects in 13 communities in 2009-2010. Later this fall the 2010-2011 funding recipients will be announced and we anticipate that the 2009-2010 participation rates will increase significantly, with each community in the Northwest Territories hosting at least one Active After School Program this year.
Third, the department has also been busy expanding programming for youth. During the summer the department, assisted by some very energetic students and interns, supported the wide range of single and multi-sport camps in 14 communities. During the upcoming winter the department will deliver 10 traditional northern and Dene game camps in five regions.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to our seasonal Get Active NWT campaign, created in 2006. Get Active NWT encourages community groups to organize local events that motivate residents to be physically active. The department, the NWT Recreation and Parks Association and First Air have teamed up to provide local program grants and other incentives. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs anticipates that nearly 100 community events for all ages will receive funding this year.
Mr. Speaker, the numbers speak for themselves. In 2009, Active Healthy Kids Canada reported that up to 85 percent of youth in the Northwest Territories lack physical activity. That is why our government must continue to encourage healthy lifestyle choices and promote physical activity so that we can demonstrate and document improvements in the health and well-being of our residents in the future.
In conclusion, I would like to celebrate our successes and thank all the Members for their support in these program initiatives. I would like to encourage Members to continue promoting a healthy and active lifestyles in communities and challenge you to lead by example. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
