Debates of October 18, 2006 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my opening Member’s statement in terms of the original birthplace of ice hockey in Canada in Deline, I wanted to ask the Minister of sport in terms of what is his department or agencies he works with that can promote the birthplace of ice hockey in Deline and continue on with this campaign to try and get CBC to pull its head out of the sand and recognize Deline as the birthplace of ice hockey. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I think it was during the last session in this House we passed the motion supporting Deline as the birthplace of hockey. We have had some discussions with the community. The community is looking at it as somewhat of a marketing or tourism, or could be viewed as a tourism attraction for the community. We are also looking at ways that we can do some promotion as a department. We have looked at working with the community to possibly purchase some jerseys that would reflect that this is the birthplace of hockey, and in some team arm patches that would also do the same. I understand the community is working with ITI to look at some promotional initiatives through that department also. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 116-15(5): Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess I am looking also for the truth in terms of recognizing Deline as the birthplace of ice hockey with this government. Get your team ready, Mr. Minister. Get your team ready so CBC can get the truth that Deline is the birthplace of ice hockey and to mention shame that they didn’t do it in their People’s History. We have to park the other issues, Mr. Minister. Give some promotion awareness again. What will he do in terms of working with his colleague Cabinet members to let CBC know and let the Territories know, let everybody know in Canada, the birthplace of ice hockey is in the Northwest Territories, in Deline in the Sahtu region. That is the truth, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Hear! Hear!

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 116-15(5): Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are certainly not contesting that fact. We have passed a motion in this House acknowledging that. We have not heard from the community requesting any support in the area of international recognition. We would be glad to sit down and talk to them along with maybe some of our partners and the Sports Council. Until that happens, we are not aware of what specifically is being requested. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 116-15(5): Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The community of Deline, the people of Deline, have spoken to me and this is what they are saying. Maybe a little bit slow in terms of getting information over to the Minister’s office in terms of letter writing, but I want to ask for the commitment by this Minister and his team of players over there in Cabinet to make a commitment that there is an action plan being discussed maybe with the people in Deline in terms of recognizing Deline and to show all of Canada the birthplace of ice hockey belongs here in the Northwest Territories. It belongs to the northern people. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 116-15(5): Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will certainly share that information for the important recognition for the community to be the birthplace of hockey. I will commit with talking to my colleagues, the Minister of culture and ITI. This has to be community driven. If there is a request from the community, we will certainly follow up on it. We will be glad to entertain any proposals from the community. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 116-15(5): Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Thank you. I am going to ask the Minister if he would consider, through his Department of MACA, or as the Department of MOT, to put up some nice, shiny signs at the airport in Deline stating that it’s the birthplace of ice hockey in Canada from 1825 until the present. I will ask the Minister if he could consider that suggestion from outside over here. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 116-15(5): Promotion Of Deline As The Birthplace Of Ice Hockey

Mr. Speaker, we will be glad to entertain any requests from the communities. We will certainly make the commitment to work with the community and involve other departments to move this important initiative forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.