P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9 www.gov.nt.ca C. P. 1320, Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9

May 22, 2020

MS. JULIE GREEN

MLA, YELLOWKNIFE CENTRE

Oral Question 113-19(2): Sexual Abuse in Sports

This letter is in follow up to the Oral Question you raised on February 28, 2020, regarding the Government of the Northwest Territories’ activities to prevent sexual abuse in sports.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) and partner organizations take their responsibilities related to the protection and well-being of young athletes very seriously.

In 2017 our government joined other provincial and territorial governments in the endorsement of the Red Deer Declaration, which committed all governments and sport organizations to make improvements to make sport safer, more inclusive and free from abuse and harassment.

In the Northwest Territories (NWT), MACA is taking steps to work with NWT sport organizations to update or develop their policies and programs in these areas to make sure all athletes have a safe and harassment free experience during their sport activities. For example, through the development of the NWT Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) Framework and associated Western Canada Lottery Contribution Policy, MACA is laying the appropriate policy and program foundation for organizations to build upon.

The new SPAR Framework supports initiatives that strive to ensure and sustain a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment that is free from harassment, abuse, and discrimination. In order to be eligible for funding under the SPAR Framework, organizations submitting applications will be required to have policies and implementation plans to prevent harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport, physical activity and recreation. Organizations will have a period of time to develop these policies, and the department will support them through this process.



Later this year, MACA will work with the Sport North Federation to deliver a Safe Sport Summit. Originally this was scheduled for May 2020, but this will be deferred to a later date due to the pandemic emergency. Delegates who attend the summit will receive more information to support their organizations to develop the appropriate policies and implementation plans for their respective sports.

Thank you for raising this important topic.

Caroline Cochrane

Minister

Municipal and Community Affairs

c. Mr. Tim Mercer

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

Mr. David Hastings

Legislative Coordinator

Executive and Indigenous Affairs

Ms. Eleanor Young

Deputy Minister

Municipal and Community Affairs

for the original document, please go to: 

https://www.ntassembly.ca/sites/assembly/files/td_65-192.pdf