Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Mr. Dent on June 5, 2003, regarding the proposed territorial sport and recreation board.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that meeting all of the sport and recreation needs of all of our communities and territorial organizations places great pressures upon the sport and recreation system. This is especially true as our government has made the promotion of active living a key priority.

The intent of the proposed territorial recreation and sport board is not to take away resources from the organizations that are responsible for direct sport and recreation program delivery. In fact, the proposal is intended, in a large part, to streamline the administration and governance of the system, resulting in more resources being made available for programs.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Member that volunteers are the backbone of the sport and recreation system. It is only through the dedicated efforts of countless volunteers in all the communities across the NWT that we are able to support the extensive range of activities that are occurring in our communities, such as track and field meets, hockey tournaments, Super Soccer, cross-country ski clubs, races and traditional games, to name just a few.

By streamlining the recreation and sport system and ensuring equitable access to lottery revenues across the territory we hope to realize an increase in the resources that are available to support these activities. It we are successful in this effort, we should be able to provide better support for volunteers in the recreation and sport system across the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, based on the recommendations put forward by the sport and recreation partners, it is obvious that we will continue to rely upon the important role played by volunteers in the system. It is not our intent to replace these volunteers with permanent employees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have another return to oral question, Mr. Speaker.