Debates of October 19, 2007 (day 2)

October
19
2007
Day
2
Speaker
Paul Delorey
Word
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Topics
Member's Statement On Constituent Issues Expressed During The Election Period In Nunakput
Member's Statement On Expectations Of The New Government Of The Northwest Territories
Member's Statement On Housing And Income Support Issues In Nahendeh
Member’s Statement On Climate Change And Environmental Challenges In The NWT
Member’s Statement On Constituent Issues Expressed During The Election Period In Hay River North
Member’s Statement On Cost Of Living And Poverty Issues In Mackenzie Delta
Member’s Statement On Recommendations To New Cabinet
Member’s Statement On Resources For Non-Government Organizations
Member’s Statement On Youth Issues In The Tu Nedhe Constituency
Motion 10-16(1): Appointment Of Deputy Speaker, Carried
Motion 10-16(1): Appointment Of Deputy Speaker
Motion 11-16(1): Appointment Of Deputy Chairpersons Of Committee Of The Whole
Motion 11-16(1): Appointment Of Deputy Chairpersons Of Committee Of The Whole, Carried
Motion 12-16(1): Extended Adjournment Of The House To November 27, 2007
Motion 12-16(1): Extended Adjournment Of The House To November 27, 2007, Carried
Motion 5-16(1): Adoption Of Members’ Conduct Guidelines
Motion 5-16(1): Adoption Of Members' Conduct Guidelines, Carried
Motion 6-16(1): Appointments To The Board of Management
Motion 6-16(1): Appointments To The Board Of Management, Carried
Motion 7-16(1): Rules Amendments For The Standing Committees Of The House
Motion 7-16(1): Rules Amendments For The Standing Committees Of The House, Carried
Motion 8-16(1): Appointments To The Striking Committee
Motion 8-16(1): Appointments To The Striking Committee, Carried
Motion 9-16(1): Revocation Of Appointments To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight And Appointments To The Standing Committee On Priorities And Planning
Motion 9-16(1): Revocation Of Appointments To The Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight And Appointments To The Standing Committee On Priorities And Planning, Carried
Petition 1-16(1): Illegal Activity In Public Housing In Hay River
Question 1-16(1): Resources For Non-Government Organizations
Question 10-16(1): Cancellation Of Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 11-16(1): Health And Safety Issues In Seniors’ Housing
Question 12-16(1): Timelines For Portfolio Assignments
Question 13-16(1): Environmental Impact Of Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 2-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 3-16(1): Housing And Income Support Issues In The NWT
Question 4-16(1): Social Housing Program Delivery Issues
Question 5-16(1): Senior Housing Programs
Question 6-16(1): Status Of The Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 7-16(1): Social Housing Program Delivery Issues
Question 8-16(1): Funding For Deh Cho Bridge Project
Question 9-16(1): Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement
Recorded Vote
Statements

Member’s Statement On Resources For Non-Government Organizations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin today, it is Friday, which is Red Friday, and I am wearing

red to show my support to the troops and their families and their commitment to us, as well.

Mr. Speaker, NGOs are a vital component to the fabric of the NWT. They offer and deliver programs, important programs and services that the government can’t do and sometimes doesn’t even want to do. In my opinion, these organizations are, in essence, picking up where government fails to act. In some cases, as well, these NGOs continue to get the short end of the stick when it comes to funding, lack of core funding, Mr. Speaker. Their funding does not reflect the increased costs of the times that we’re living in now. Many of these NGOs operate on shoestring budgets and contributions given by government, and this will be no surprise to this new Cabinet. It’s time we start showing our appreciation to this NGO sector.

Mr. Speaker, while during the election process for our Premier, I had questions for our two Premier candidates about wanting to know can we start off on the right foot by revealing NGO funding and making sure that the programming relevance is what we want. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this government take a less bureaucratic approach and start off on the right foot by taking immediate action with this problem and working and delivering a strong solution so we can finally deal with some of these shortfalls our NGOs, again, our vital fabric to the North, get treated fairly.

Mr. Speaker, the Alison McAteer House, as I pointed out the other day, is run by the YWCA and its funding struggles are well known to this community, and I’m certainly sure it’s well known to this Cabinet. Mr. Speaker, we can’t allow them to close the doors because they want to pay their employees fairly. Mr. Speaker, all they’re asking for is fair compensation.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for our Premier later today and I look forward to his enlightening answers to make sure we start this government off, this Assembly off, on the right step. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause