Colleagues, on May 1st I had the opportunity to preside over the 2025 Youth Parliament. I have to say it was a great to witness these young people be MLAs. Today, I have the pleasure of sharing the Member from the Nahendeh, Payton Bennet, statement.

I am speaking to you today about the inadequacies I have seen regarding facilities, access to training, and insufficient space in our smaller communities compared to the bigger centers like Yellowknife, Hay River, Inuvik, and Fort Smith.

Today I'm speaking for youth athletes. I've done a variety of sports that are available throughout the different seasons in Fort Simpson, including speed skating, soccer, snowboarding, and basketball. I've witnessed and experienced different issues associated with sports in northern communities firsthand. After participating and competing in sport while growing up in small communities, I've grown up understanding that the larger towns will always have advantages that leads to be more successful. I have coached children from the ages of 3 to 10 in speed skating. I love watching them grow in the sport, and have fun with it, although I want more for them. They have already accomplished so much; I want them to continue making achievements. They deserve to continue to feel proud and have the pride in their sport. All kids across the Northwest Territories deserve that but especially in the smaller communities.

I feel that the territorial sports organizations, school districts and school boards must engage in meaningful discussions on how to approach the idea of giving equal access, along with attention to sports, in the smaller communities. This includes addressing barriers such as limited access to proper facilities, inadequate funding, insufficient training for community coaches, and beneficial camps for young athletes. I have observed, and experienced athletes have shorter seasons in training due to weather conditions affecting their facilities.

I have seen many youths in the North use sports as a constructive outlet. It provides them with an activity, a place to go to cope, and get away with their personal challenges. I've seen my peers grow together as individuals.

I want to advocate for all the youth across the North that would like to be involved in sport. I will continue to bring attention to these ongoing issues. I encourage others to understand the unique circumstances small communities deal with.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge the Government of the Northwest Territories to look at the way the smaller community sport is funded and supported. I feel that the smaller community athletes have a good chance at making teams more often if they are given the attention they deserve. This is done by recognizing the community athletes as strong and equal to the larger-centered athletes.

Along with consistent learning and growing opportunities and frequent access to the facilities that do exist through training trips. Ultimately these youth deserve the resources to achieve. Thank you, Ms. Payton Bennet.

Members' statements. Motions. Returns to oral questions. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Great Slave.