The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has endorsed the Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035, a renewed national framework that emphasizes inclusion, reconciliation, and community well-being through sport. This endorsement reflects the GNWT’s commitment to building a sport system that is safe, accessible, and culturally relevant for all residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The Canadian Sport Policy (CSP) aligns closely with the NWT’s own Active Living Framework 2023–2033, which promotes lifelong participation in sport and recreation, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. The CSP was developed through extensive engagement with over 5,000 Canadians and more than 500 sport organizations, helping to shape a policy that better reflects the diverse needs and values of communities across the country.

In the NWT, sport and recreation play a vital role in promoting health, education, and social cohesion. The CSP supports this by prioritizing Indigenous leadership, equitable access, and local capacity-building. It also highlights the importance of safe sport environments and celebrating athlete achievements.

From 2022 to 2026, NWT invested over $808,000 annually in combined funding ($414,430 GNWT and $393,570 Canada) in sport development initiatives. This includes support for physical literacy development, safe sport implementation, coaching and leadership training, and Team NT participation in national and international events such as the Arctic Winter Games and North American Indigenous Games.

Looking ahead, the NWT will continue to integrate the CSP’s strategic priorities into future action planning under the Active Living Framework. This alignment supports a sport system in the NWT that is inclusive, values-driven, and responsive to the needs of all communities.

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“The CSP brings a renewed and inclusive vision to sport in the Northwest Territories, aligning closely with the territory’s own Active Living Framework. It emphasizes culturally relevant, community-driven sport and recreation, particularly supporting Indigenous leadership, reconciliation, and equitable access for remote and underserved communities. This policy helps build local capacity, celebrates northern sport champions, and promotes sport as a tool for health, education, and social cohesion.”
                     - Vince McKay, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick Facts

• Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (F-P/T) ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation endorsed the Canadian Sport Policy (CSP) 2025–2035 on August 9, 2025.
• The policy is grounded in values such as inclusion, accessibility, fairness, safety, and community-building.
• The CSP and F-P/T Priorities for Collaborative Action will support the development of future bilateral funding agreements and sport development and participation programs.
• From 2022 to 2026, the NWT invested $808,000 annually in combined funding ($414,430 GNWT and $393,570 Canada) to support sport development, including Indigenous sport programming through the Indigenous Sports Circle of the NWT.
• Additional one-time funding in 2024: $100,000 to support international Team NT travel to the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska
• The NWT Active Living Framework 2023–2033 provides a strategic approach to recreation, sport, and physical activity across the territory.

Related Links

• Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035 
• 2025 Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
• SIRC-What-We-Heard-Report-FINAL
• NWT Active Living Framework 2023–2033

For media requests, please contact: 
Peter Tah
Senior Communications and Planning Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs 
Government of the Northwest Territories 
Peter_Tah@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9162 ext. 21012