Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today in my Member's statement I spoke about the importance of physical literacy for older adults. I'm not talking about sport, I'm not talking about recreation; I'm talking about physical literacy. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs advise this House what the department is doing for older adults as it relates to their physical literacy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.
As stated earlier, currently the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is providing funding to NWT Recreation and Parks Association, which is one of the five, for the Elders in Motion program, and we're also providing it for the Canada 55+ Games. We do recognize that there is an issue with physical literacy and so that will be a topic that's on the agenda.
I should also state that there has been a representative from one of the seniors' organizations that has recently come forward and asked if we would consider working with them also to provide a new program for seniors. I don't have the details on that, but I do know that we have expressed more than interest in working with senior groups to provide supports to seniors.
I thank the Minister for her answer. I guess I'm a little bit concerned. We're talking about third-party funding, so the department gives funding to the two of the partners to run events. But I guess my thing is I was looking for the department, and I appreciate that they're working with the seniors, or older adults as they want to be called. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement I spoke about some of the benefits of physical literacy for older adults. Can the Minister advise the House if the department is willing to promote the benefits of physical literacy to the residents of the NWT?
Yes, I think that we don't do a good job in actually promoting the benefits of sports and recreation. I think we do but we could do better, and so we will work on developing that as well. Again, it is something that we should be bringing to the five organizations because I also think that they have a role in the promotion of sports and recreation throughout the Northwest Territories. So again, like I said, I will commit to bringing that issue to the table when we meet with them all and see if it becomes solely a department issue or if it's something that all of the organizations should take part in, because, in my personal opinion, I believe it should be a shared responsibility.
I thank the Minister for her answer, but we need leadership, that's what we're looking for, and we need the department to show the leadership then the five partners will follow in stride with it. Physical literacy is important. It's just not sports, it's just not recreation, it's about wellness we're looking for. I realize older adults and seniors cross over other departments. Can the Minister advise the House if there's a committee, Ministers, or departmental staff that work together to help provide older adults with programs to help improve their lives?
At this time no, there is not an interdepartmental committee to look at sports, rec and physical literacy for people in the Northwest Territories. That is the responsibility of the Municipal and Community Affairs.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I actually learned something today on this file. I thought that there would be an ECE, Health and Department of MACA working looking after seniors and that's, you know, promoting their health and that and I wish we would work with that.
Mr. Speaker, this past June I read in the news that the department provided little if no support for the 50+ Games. I've heard the Minister say that there were some pins and uniforms and that. Actually, one of your colleagues actually attended the games and did quite well, I heard, and I thank him for, you know, promoting physical literacy and a better way of life. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain to the House why is it the department provides little or no support for these type of games for seniors? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm going to take the opportunity to actually address two issues that were brought up by the Member. The first one was that there is no coordination within the departments to deal with seniors specifically; that is not true. My understanding was there is an interdepartmental group. There is no interdepartmental group; however, we do have a Minister responsible for seniors who works with all of the departments to compile the information supports and to lobby and advocate with us to provide supports to seniors.
The second thing I will address is the question. It was talking about the 55+. Like I said, we did give $14,000 to Sport North this summer for the 55+ games. They used it to cover uniforms and pins. But we have made a commitment, and that was from the past Minister and it still follows through with myself as the new Minister, that every organization will receive the same amount of funding as they got last year and, if not, then maybe more. I will honour that commitment, and I do promise that there will be at least the amount of funding if not more for seniors. I have a personal stake in this as well. I am over 55. I want to make sure that we take care of ours. I don't want to be one of the people that fall off and aren't physically active. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
