Check against delivery.
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to provide an update on the review of Team NT and the Northwest Territories multisport games system.
The Government of the Northwest Territories, in partnership with Sport North Federation and the Indigenous Sports Circle NWT, undertook a comprehensive review of Team NT's participation in the Arctic Winter Games, Canada Games, North American Indigenous Games, and Canada 55+ Games. The review was launched to ensure our approach to multisport games continues to meet the needs of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, families, Indigenous governments and organizations, communities, and sport partners across the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, participants delivered a clear message.
People strongly support the continued role of territorial, national, and circumpolar multisport games and the opportunities they create for individuals, communities, and the territory as a whole. Participants spoke consistently about the pride of representing their communities and territory, the connections built through sport, and the benefits for personal growth, youth development, leadership, and healthy active living.
The review also confirmed that each games event serves a unique and valuable role within our sport and recreation system. The Arctic Winter Games provide opportunities for youth development, community representation, cultural exchange, and participation. The North American Indigenous Games create opportunities for Indigenous athletes to celebrate culture, identity, and sport while connecting with Indigenous participants from across North America. The Canada Games provide the territory's highest level of national competition and athlete development. The Canada 55+ Games support lifelong participation, healthy aging, and community connection.
At the same time, participants identified opportunities to strengthen the system. A consistent theme throughout the review was the need to better define the role of each games event and how participation supports athlete development, community engagement, cultural connection, and long-term success. Participants also identified barriers related to geography, travel costs, access to coaching and training, financial constraints, and uneven sport development opportunities across the territory. They called for stronger athlete, coach, and volunteer development, clearer communication and coordination, greater transparency in selection processes, fewer financial barriers, and more equitable access to opportunities in small and remote communities.
Our goal is to ensure athletes, coaches, volunteers, and communities continue to have meaningful pathways to participate, compete, and succeed. This work aligns the national Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035 and with the NWT Active Living Framework, which promotes safe, accessible, and culturally respectful sport, recreation, and physical activity opportunities across the territory. The review will help us build a stronger and more sustainable multisport games system that reflects the diverse needs of Northerners.
Mr. Speaker, later today we will release the What We Heard Report. From this report come recommendations for the government to act upon. We will review these recommendations with our stakeholders and respond to them in the coming months.
Mr. Speaker, alongside this work, the Government of the Northwest Territories continues to advance sport integrity initiatives by implementing the NWT Safe Sport Framework and supporting sport organizations as they transition to independent reporting and complaint mechanisms. Together with the broader efforts I have outlined today, these initiatives are helping to foster safe, inclusive, and positive sport environments for athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and participants across the territory.
As we move these initiatives forward, I thank everyone who shared their time and perspectives. Their voices are helping shape the future of sport and recreation in the Northwest Territories: strengthening communities, developing athletes, and supporting participation for Northerners of all ages and abilities.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.