Debates of October 19, 2006 (day 11)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to ask the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs some questions on the funding cuts that are impacting the North. Some of them, of course, are for volunteerism and recreation association. I just got a letter here from Fort Simpson. I believe the Minister may have a copy of that same letter. But they're dismayed about the cuts and how it's making an impact on them. I'm just wondering if the department, Mr. Speaker, is looking at the significance of the impact to the programs that they deliver. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Mr. Speaker, I don't have the luxury of having the letter in front of me. I'm not sure what letter he's referencing. The federal cuts have had impact on some of our partnerships that we have been working on, especially in the area of volunteerism. It's a working relationship that we've been working very hard on to develop over the last while, since the year 2000. The federal government had been providing core funding. We've been offering support on different areas where we could support Volunteer NWT. We are now in a situation where the core funding for Volunteer NWT is no longer available. We're looking at ways to see if we can rectify it. We've done a number of things, including action plans, and those things, of course, are in jeopardy now because of the Volunteer NWT situation. I've written a letter to the Minister of Heritage voicing our concerns. Of course, if at the end of this fiscal year there are no new resources found, Volunteer NWT would more than likely have to close its doors. So we're trying to avoid that right now. We're looking to see how we can be of assistance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I won't reference the letter anymore, Mr. Speaker. I guess the whole point is, has the Minister of Community Affairs taken the time to look at the impacts and come up with a detailed presentation to the communities of what impacts there were? I guess that's the confusion, Mr. Speaker. Some of them are known quite quickly, like the volunteerism which lost I think it was $190,000. But has the ministry assessed other areas of impacts to the communities, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, there has been some work that has been ongoing. Our deputy ministers have been looking at the situation. Sport North, who is a partner in this with Volunteer NWT, has also been looking at discussions. The Volunteer Canada has also had a lot of discussion with their members on this. They've taken a position that they'd like to start lobbying the government, rather than…They want to take the position that they would take the opportunity to lobby the government to change their mind. Of course, we in the NWT have still the responsibility of trying to get the organization to continue working. We had, last year, supported the declaration towards volunteers in the NWT. We also developed a related action plan. We have not come to any conclusion as to the total impact of this, but it's something we're looking at and, of course, we're very concerned about. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed unfortunate that the federal government didn't see fit that the small, little programs that affect people's everyday lives was worthy to go on their chopping block. It's mostly a federal responsibility, but is our government, is our ministry looking at an action plan maybe of paying for some of these costs in the short term in the event that there's no replacement funds from the federal government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we consider volunteering in the NWT a very important aspect of our society. We need the volunteers in the communities. I'm sure that would continue without Volunteer NWT. But this is a very good program, the whole initiative for volunteering and the whole area that Volunteer NWT has been covering is very important for us. We will do whatever we can to support them. We've looked at ways and are trying to come up with options that we can try to come and fill the void. It's going to be a real challenge, given our resources, but it's something we're going to continue to have discussions with Sport North, Volunteer NWT, and see if we can come to some way of moving forward with continuing to support volunteers in the NWT. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I noticed that in the last couple of weeks the Dene Nation did provide a couple rallies there, Mr. Speaker. I was wondering if there's any territorial strategy by our government to protest these cuts, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 141-15(5): Federal Funding Budget Reductions Impacting The North

Mr. Speaker, on September 27th, 2006, Volunteer Canada had a conference call with all their provincial, territorial and local network programs and members, and they talked to the people that were affected by these federal program cuts. They are recommending against fighting the Government of Canada on their decision to cease funding for Canada volunteer initiatives, and they're recommending that the affiliated groups lobby for continued investment to the volunteer sector through a vehicle program of the new government's discretion and design. We are doing our share to advocate on their behalf. We are lobbying the federal Ministers and the federal government and we will continue to support them and do what we can to help out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.