.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The territorial government will roll out the details of plans to make a $2.5 million splash at the 2010 Winter Olympics early in April, but Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro has already seen enough.

"I said it for ITI and I'll say it for MACA: I think that's too much money," Bisaro told the legislature as MLAs examined budget estimates for Municipal and Community Affairs, which will spend $1 million on the games.

The departments of Industry Tourism and Investment and Education, Culture and Employment also have spending plans for the winter games in Vancouver.

"I think we should have a presence but I don't think we should be spending $2.5 million," said Bisaro, adding that she is "adamantly opposed" to the Skilled Sports Volunteer Program.

The program that gives volunteer judges and referees an opportunity to add experience and hone their skills "is not a good use of our funds," she said.

MACA also funds the Youth Ambassador Program that sent 33 teens from small communities to 2007 Winter Games in Whitehorse and will send others to the party in Vancouver.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for kids from small communities," MACA Minster Bob McLeod said in defence of the program and Olympic spending.

Drew Williams, acting communications director for the cabinet, said the $2.5 million will allow the NWT to join forces with Nunavut and the Yukon to promote Northern culture and tourism attractions before an international audience.

The premier has been invited to participate in the opening ceremonies and his expenses will be covered by the Olympic organizers, not the NWT, Williams said, but he was not sure who would pay for attendance of three cabinet ministers whose departments are involved in a special NWT weekend at the games.

The dedicated weekend "will be an opportunity to spotlight everything NWT and fill the stage," Williams explained. "Northern artists - performing and visual - traditional games and culture will be on display."