SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The president of the NWT SPCA is outraged by comments made by Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger regarding her organization's attempt to host a beer garden at a now postponed mixed martial arts (MMA) event.

Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger's remarks called "ludicrous." - NNSL file photo

Nicole Spencer called Miltenberger's stance on the event "ludicrous."

He stated on a local radio station last week that, "The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has their name on an application to sponsor an event where a bunch of men are going to get together to beat themselves senseless and bloody to prevent animals from being beaten senseless and bloody. Sort of like Alcoholics Anonymous asking for a licence for a beer garden to raise money to help people quit drinking."

The SPCA was to host the beer garden last Saturday at the Northern Invasion MMA event at the Yellowknife Community Arena but was denied a liquor permit by the NWT Liquor Licensing Board for, among other reasons, not getting the application in on time. At least half of the beer garden's profits were to go to the SPCA, according to MMA promoter John Stanley. The event was postponed until next month after the liquor licence was denied.

"It angers me. It bothers me a great deal. This whole thing has gotten way out of hand. As the SPCA representative I didn't go out to make a big deal of it," Spencer said." But I've had people come to me saying what it going on? What is this person saying about the SPCA? It is crazy. It is disappointing that someone in his role would say something so troubling and uneducated."

The City of Yellowknife has sanctioned these types of sporting events and it's a legal sport held inside an arena, Spencer said.

It's no different than football or hockey - the people involved are willing participants, she added.

"Not all our volunteers for this event necessarily have to like MMA, however, they volunteer to support our organization to raise money by serving beverages," she said. "Everyone in this has a choice."

Stanley was also upset that Miltenberger was buying into the liquor's board's contention that there has been violence among spectators at similar events in Yellowknife in the past.

Yellowknifer talked to several people who have been at most if not all past MMA events in Yellowknife and they said they only recall one small altercation between two fans at the end of the night in 2013. All said it was minor and was quickly dealt with by security.

In an e-mail, cabinet communications officer Roya Grinstead stated Miltenberger would not be responding to Spencer's comments. She also stated that it is important to remember that the decision was made by the board alone, solely on the basis of applicable legislation.

Yellowknifer and Canarctic Graphics are one of the main sponsors of the Northern Invasion event.

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