Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Sport North Federation is a recognized leader in sport development in the Northwest Territories. It is dedicated to the development of sport at every level of participation throughout this territory. Today Sport North consists of 27 sports organizations, or TSOs, and regularly partners with a number of NWT sports organizations in the NWT for the benefit of youth and sports at a territorial level.
Sport North is accessible to all residents of the Northwest Territories and provides valuable support in most communities in the Northwest Territories through TSO development in sport, as well as by offering coaching clinics in other sports-related activities.
On Monday night I attended an information session put on by Sport North where they outlined some concerns and problems they’ve been experiencing this year with regard to funding that they have been allocated by the Sports and Recreation Council, or the SRC. The SRC is a body assigned by the government to allocate lottery funding to the different sports organizations throughout the Northwest Territories. The problem seems to stem from the application process utilized by the SRC. According to many, for the 2011-2012 fiscal year the SRC application packages were distributed to interested parties prior to the conclusion of the SRC’s own strategic planning process. However, the SRC assessed the applications based on the strategic plan that was issued after the applications were submitted.
Sport North applied for funding in 12 different areas. They were approved for six of these areas, at a total of $1.683 million. As a result of the confusion with the process and lack of clarity as to why certain aspects of their proposals and important program areas were declined, they felt that they had no choice but to appeal the process. They’ve been waiting for over four months for the appeal to be heard and to date have had no response on their appeal from the SRC.
The problem here is that while waiting for the results of their appeal, they’ve been uncomfortable signing their contribution agreement for the six other areas they were approved for by the SRC. They fear that if they sign, they will lose their right to appeal and forfeit their appeal and will lose all ability to obtain additional funding for things like their coaching programs, their Canadian Sport for Life program, and their community support opportunity programs. The loss of these programs will have dramatic effects on sport in the Northwest Territories.
While waiting for the appeal process to run its course, they have been using cash on hand plus a transitional payment made by MACA of $149,000 to cover costs including payroll and contributions to the TSOs.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
In 30 days Sport North will be out of cash and unable to meet their payroll. This could be the end of Sport North. As a result of the long and confusing appeal process, the life of this important organization is on the line. This is unacceptable. Sport North has an important role in sport within the Northwest Territories and a solution must be found.
Later this afternoon I will be asking the Minister of MACA some important questions on this file.
Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
