Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, after last evening's discussion on sports and youth, I think the Minister of MACA knows the importance of supporting youth in their endeavours to go on to greater things in sports.
So, Mr. Speaker, with respect to sporting events within the NWT, will the Minister of MACA confirm if there's any requirement for a proof of COVID vaccination prior to participation? Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was getting jealous of Minister Archie in answering all the questions here, so I appreciate the Member from Hay River South asking the question.
So some good news for the Member, and hopefully it'll be the last time he has to talk about COVID in this House here. We don't require any COVID vaccination requirements for sporting events in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister confirm if there was any requirement for proof of vaccination either at the Arctic Winter Games or the Canada Winter Games, and if not, what was the reasoning for it? Both these events were outside the territories. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that both the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games did have the policy in there. But on November 18th, 2022 the international committee, in conjunction with the host community, decided to withdraw or revoke the policy for mandatory COVID19 vaccination reports, as well with Canada games on November 23rd, the host society and the Canada games council revoked it there. So in my conversations with both ministers, both societies in Charlottetown, PEI and Fort McMurray, both ministers and the host society said that that was the public safety requirements that are no longer required. So that's why it was removed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yeah, the issue I guess is that some of the organizations are, you know, dropping the requirement at the last minute and what that does is take away an opportunity for potential athletes or participants because they don't get selected because they can't meet those requirements.
So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell me what he is doing to ensure that all NWT athletes, coaches, and volunteers can take part in sporting events across Canada regardless of vaccination status? Is the department intervening on behalf of those who are not able to provide proof of vaccination? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Member's frustration. When I heard about the vaccine requirements being dropped, I did reach out to both ministers and had that conversation and the international committee and saying hey, we had a process. We, in the Northwest Territories, to select our teams had to follow the process that said you had to have vaccination requirements done and report it in. That didn't happen. They changed it and so we weren't able to do that. So unfortunately, we as a government don't intervene, but Sport North and the TSOs have that ability so we encourage the athletes to reach out to Sport North and to the TSOs to intervene on their behalf. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the next event coming up is the North American Indigenous Games. The same problem. They're requiring proof of vaccination. So, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to sending a letter to the North American Indigenous Games council questioning why the need for proof of vaccination and request that it be withdrawn to allow for participation by any athlete, coach, or volunteer from the NWT? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on February 28th, the NAG council stated it was continuing with its mandatory COVID vaccination policy. The NAG council stated the priority is the safety and wellbeing of all 5,000 athletes, participants, coaches, and chaperones participating from 756 nations. This includes elders of the Mi'kmaq host territory who have shared that they are not comfortable with unvaccinated groups coming into their territory. NAG council indicated they respect the territories of the nations and wishes of the elders. So, Mr. Speaker, I also respect the wishes of the NAG council and the host territory but can commit to reaching out to the NWT Aboriginal Sports Circle to understand their perspective and talk about sending a letter to the host society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.
