Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister how he foresees the council's meeting their objectives with this late start. Will the council be able to meet their first meeting in April? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs why the establishment of the Sport and Recreation Council has been delayed. The council was supposed to be established in February as he mentioned in his Ministerial statement in October. Now the nominations for this council won't even close until March. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in a minute I will be talking about the NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners' implementation plan, but first I just wanted to congratulate the Minister, his department and all their partners in putting together the first ever NWT Games program in Fort Smith for March 18th to 21st. Having a sport event just for the NWT has been a goal of the sport community for a long time.

Mr. Speaker, the last time we were here I spoke a little about my support for the NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners and I just want to say a little bit more on this topic. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working for years, in consultation with their stakeholders in sport and recreation, to find ways to improve the system. All communities and partners wanted an opportunity to participate in planning and decision-making for this system. There needed to be improved coordination and a simplified quorum for decision-making. Also, all communities wanted greater access to sport and recreation programs and more resources with which to accomplish all of this.

Mr. Speaker, according to the implementation plan in 2005, the council will be working on a resource management plan which includes support for the lottery in order to maximize revenue flow, streamlining administrative expenses, and creating volunteer and staff support initiatives. The council will be working on a communication and marketing plan, a plan to consolidate partner's offices and a plan to establish system-wide priorities and operating principles. The council will provide periodic updates to their sport partners to keep them informed of the council's progress.

In January 2006, the Minister will make a final decision on council's budget request and in April 2006, the council will begin their first year of operation under a new fiscal arrangement.

Mr. Speaker, the council will have a lot of work to do in a very short time. Nominations close for the new council on March 7, 2005. I wish them well with their objectives. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, is testing of diabetes available in all community health centres? If not, where should people go if they want to get checked? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister what diabetes awareness activities take place in the five regions that we have, and the communities. Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Can the Minister tell me what programs are out there to educate young people specifically about the risk of diabetes and what they can do to prevent it? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know there are many health challenges in our territory and it's overwhelming for all of us at times, but one I'm not sure we speak about enough is diabetes. This is a very dangerous and debilitating disease and, unfortunately, we are seeing increasing numbers of people being diagnosed with it and they're getting younger and younger, Mr. Speaker. For aboriginal people a lot of this is related to the changes in lifestyle that have happened since we changed from our traditional ways to more non-active living and unhealthy eating habits. Years ago people lived off only the healthy foods provided by the land and there was no such thing as a non-active lifestyle. You did not see these numbers of diabetes back then.

Mr. Speaker, it's very important that the government have programs in place to teach people, especially youth, about nutrition and the importance of exercise and active living. Young people need to know the consequences of not taking care of themselves. It is also important that people do what they can to stay in shape and eat healthy. Many people, Mr. Speaker, do not know they have the disease, so it's important they go to their health centre and get tested so they do not go too long without treatment if they do have diabetes. Often, if it is caught early, exercises and changes in diet can be enough to reverse it. Thank you.

---Applause

Madam Chair, if we can go to the main estimates to deal with the Department of Health and Social Services.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With no disrespect to the Striking Committee, Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member for Twin Lakes is the only Member who is not appointed to any of the standing committees and there is a vacancy particularly to the Accountability and Oversight committee and to Governance and Economic Development committee. That's the reason that I'm making this amendment to this motion, so that we can deal with that particular Member to sit on these various committees. Mahsi.