Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer congratulations to all the athletes who participated in the Arctic Winter Games team selection process which was held January 12th to 15th. Fort McPherson, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Ndilo and Yellowknife successfully hosted the territorial trials for 17 sporting events.

As my colleagues are aware, the 2006 Arctic Winter Games are being hosted this year by Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, from March 5th to 11th. I would like to extend congratulations and best of luck to the 300 plus Team NWT athletes, coaches, cultural delegates and chaperones who will be travelling to Kenai Peninsula. Our athletes will be joined by delegations from Alberta, Alaska, Greenland, Nunavut, Nunavik, the Yukon, the Russian province of Yamal, and the Saami from northern Scandinavia.

I look forward to following the progress of our athletes and celebrating their successes as they compete in their respective events.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to extend my thanks to the Sport North Federation, the territorial sport organizations, regional coordinators and the many hard-working volunteers who are leaders in our sports system. Without their hard work and the thousands of hours they spend helping make our events a success, the Arctic Winter Games and many other sporting events would not take place.

I am pleased to announce that this year saw a 33 percent increase in the number of athletes who participated in the regional trials. This increased participation has resulted in six more NWT communities being represented in the 2006 games than in 2004. I am proud of this increase as it shows that our sport and recreation system is promoting the development of athletes in all the NWT communities, large and small.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to work with our partners to ensure that youth from all communities have an opportunity to participate in sport and recreation programs. The Arctic Winter Games are also an important component of our sport system. Our youth look forward every two years to the opportunity to share in friendly competition and cultural exchanges. I am confident that our youth will once again benefit from this experience in Kenai Peninsula. I know that numerous friendships will be formed and our young people will return with many lasting memories.

As the Minister responsible for sport, it will be my pleasure to attend the games and watch our athletes compete. I invite all Members to join me in wishing the best of luck to Team NWT and all the participants in the 2006 Arctic Winter Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause