Thank you, Madam Speaker. All recognized that northern communities need an event that will showcase our athletes and cultural performers. The Arctic Winter Games has allowed for participation of all athletes and performers, from ten years old to 80 years old. Madam Speaker, I hope we do not lose sight of this achievement. I hope we do not lose sight of the commitment to our young and old athletes to continue to participate in good healthy living. I hope we recognize, Madam Speaker, that these are Arctic Winter Games, not simply northern athletic games.

Madam Speaker, the Northwest Territories, as we all know, spends the largest amount of dollars in preparing and allowing for participation in the Arctic Winter Games. It is important that we remember that Alberta has other events or, for that matter any other province, such as their own winter and summer games.

We owe a commitment to all of our athletes, not to simply promoting diplomatic gestures to satisfy other jurisdictions. The Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska athletes and performers look forward every two years to the Arctic Winter Games. The Northwest Territories directors who represent us on the Arctic Winter Games board should reflect seriously on these priorities and their priorities.

Madam Speaker, jurisdictions have the right to choose to participate in the Arctic Winter Games. I, for one, support the Arctic Winter Games based on the original concept and principles adopted in 1967 by Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. We should remember we had Arctic Quebec participating in past Arctic Winter Games and we should remember that they chose to withdraw after we participated in Schefferville, Quebec. Let history be our lesson. As soon as the costs for provinces is an issue, they will either try to influence the games to satisfy their expenditures or to reclassify the participants of Arctic Winter Games.

Madam Speaker, I ask all Members to support the Arctic Winter Games so that all our athletes, young and old, men and women, have an opportunity show their athletic prowess while parading our Arctic cultural richness.

I have heard, Madam Speaker, that some jurisdictions are pressing for the removal of senior events. I say no to this suggestion, and I would ask the Minister to promote and support all ages of athletes and cultural performers within the Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Madam Speaker.