Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition of one aspect of the government's latest proposal to establish a new NWT sport and recreation partners council. Mr. Speaker, this sounds good in title, but in effect, this continues to be the wrong approach to balance small and large community participation in sporting activities. We need to continue to expand programs to small communities, certainly, Mr. Speaker, but these should be done through extra government support and funding to small communities, not at the expense of what has been established in the larger centres, mostly through volunteerism and tax-based, Mr. Speaker. I believe, Mr. Speaker, creating a new layer of bureaucracy will only reduce the money available to those children who really need it.

Mr. Speaker, I'm also very concerned about the message that this proposal continues to send to the large volunteer community in Yellowknife and throughout the Territories. All these people, Mr. Speaker, have dedicated their personal time and resources to the NWT sports system for years, and the government's insistence in plying through this proposal is a complete affront to their years of dedication and commitment and hours of service.

Mr. Speaker, look at the tremendous history of volunteer coaches and organizations in Yellowknife and the Territories. From David Sutherland, John Argue, the Dunbars, Dave McCann, the Gilday-Dunbar team, Harry Vivian, the Grafs, Dave Walcer and Dennis Crane, to some of the relative newcomers like Mike Beauregard. The list is endless and they give their hours in the nights and weekends because they care about the kids and they believe in what they do. All of them not only have contributed their time and energy to making Yellowknife a great place for our children, but have all participated in coaching clinics and organizational meetings in and for very small communities. Again, on their own time. Mr. Speaker, the same can be said about many people involved with Sport North.

I'd like to conclude by saying, Mr. Speaker, that MACA and the government would be better off with spending more time, energy and money trying to encourage the development of volunteers and facilities in small communities rather than building another layer of bureaucracy and another board. Mr. Speaker, I have proposed this from the beginning and still do and will continue to do so and I ask the Minister to reconsider. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause