Thank you, Mr. Speaker. March 17th to the 23rd of next year will see the circumpolar world's major international sporting event taking place in Iqaluit, Nunavut and Nuuk, Greenland. I am referring, of course, to the Arctic Winter Games.
In this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, we raise many questions regarding the future participation in those games. At this point, I would like to look at some of the positive aspects of sport and development in the Northwest Territories.
Physical and mental preparation for sporting events is a key to good health, Mr. Speaker. People who are physically active have fewer health problems in later years. Let us all remember the 60-year old Swede and ParticipACTION.
Perhaps the broadest impact in the Arctic Winter Games is the 1200 or so athletes here in the Northwest Territories who will participate in regional playoffs and some 700 who will participate in territorial trials. These trials are commencing starting this month and they will be going through January. Regional trials in the Mackenzie district, Beaufort-Delta and Sahtu, South Slave and Yellowknife will see competition in 19 events in as many as 30 communities. Not only does this competition promote traditional sports like snowshoeing, Arctic sports, Dene games and dog mushing, but it encourages skill development in other sports like curling, skiing and speed skating. Officials, coaches and athletes all develop new skills and greater competencies. They make new friends and learn more about each other's regions and homes.
The Arctic Winter Games contributes to the cultural and artistic development of the performing and visual arts. This year, we will see 16 cultural performers from the Northwest Territories on the international stage at the Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs is currently circulating a paper on sport and recreation. I believe we need to look at the broad value of sport and rec in the Northwest Territories and its positive impacts on health, social and community programs that this government delivers.
In this light, we need to look not so much at how we slice up the pie, but how can we make the pie bigger and spread the value of sport and recreation throughout the North. In the trials upcoming, for all the athletes and volunteers and for our hosts in Iqaluit and Nuuk, Mr. Speaker, I wish them every success over the coming four months of preparation. Thank you.
-- Applause