Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as a participant of sports for over 30 years in the North and a former board member of Sport North, I have some grave concerns with the formation of and the proposed implementation of a territorial sports and recreation board. I, too, Mr. Speaker, have read the Sport North annual report from 2002-2003. I know of the hard work that goes into a sports organization of the calibre of Sport North. Do not get me wrong, Mr. Speaker, I am certainly not implying that the Sport North board is perfect in every way and that there is no room for improvement.
Mr. Speaker, over the last while I have also received a large volume of correspondence from concerned sports representatives throughout the North. These extremely dedicated people, Mr. Speaker, are very concerned about the implementation of a new sports and recreation board, as I am. In addition, they are concerned about what it would mean for the future of sport and voluntarism in the North.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the impetus for a new sports and recreation board is the perception that small communities are under funded. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that non-tax-based communities can apply for a grant from Municipal and Community Affairs of up to $35,000 in any given year to provide recreational activities to any number of kids. So if there are 15 to 20 kids participating from a small community, that is well over $1,000 per kid per year.
On the flip side, Mr. Speaker, in Hay River minor softball can apply for two bingos a year entirely staffed by volunteers. That generates approximately $4,000. Mr. Speaker, the $4,000 profit generated from these two bingos is then divided among 100 kids, which works out to approximately $4 per kid. I can certainly see an inequity there.
Mr. Speaker, I do believe the funding to sports and recreation is an issue that concerns every board, every sports organization and every community in the North. I do agree that there are inequities and we must identify where these are and come up with some concrete solutions to address them. This, Mr. Speaker, I can support. However, Mr. Speaker, if we are simply going through a process of robbing Peter to pay Paul then I suggest, Mr. Speaker, we will always get 100 percent support from Paul for this process. However, this may not solve anything.
Mr. Speaker, I have always maintained that it is voluntarism that drives our communities. I am very concerned to learn that a number of extremely dedicated sports volunteers are just about at the point of giving up as they are really beginning to feel unappreciated.