Mahsi, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today I rise with a heavy heart to make this statement. Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Arctic Winter Games bid committee announced from Whitehorse that the city of Yellowknife will be awarded the 1998 Arctic Winter Games.
Apparently, there was supposed to be a bid process where the communities which were interested in hosting the Arctic Winter Games would prepare a bid, which would be properly evaluated and the best proposal would be accepted. To me, this is a fair process. However, I must contest and state that the whole bid process for selecting a location for the 1998 Arctic Winter Games was not fair. Apparently, the bid which was submitted by the bid committee in Inuvik, was not given a fair evaluation. I am led to believe that the decision to award the games to Yellowknife was already made before the process began.
Madam Speaker, if this was the case, then why didn't the international committee members make this known before proceeding with their charade? Madam Speaker, this government, the town of Inuvik, and the Delta-Beaufort communities were led down the garden path. I know that many of the Members of the Inuvik Arctic Winter Game bid committee now feel betrayed. I think that the international committee should have had the courage to define the minimum requirements and scope required to host the games before requesting bids. If the size of Inuvik was questionable, that should have been indicated at the outset of the process, before letting the people of the region think they had a chance in this bid.
The town of Inuvik prepared an excellent bid package and rolled out the red carpet when members of the international committee came to visit and investigate the town, look at the facilities, meet with the host committee and enjoy the hospitality shown by all residents of Inuvik and the region.
Madam Speaker, I request unanimous consent to continue with my statement.