Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supporting a healthy and sustainable volunteer sector is one of the priorities that the government is addressing as part of the Building Our Future Initiative. Today I am pleased to advise Members on an important opportunity to recognize the significant contribution volunteers make to all our communities.
Launched in 1991, the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program celebrates exceptional volunteer service in the Northwest Territories. In the 21 years the program has been operating, over 700 individuals and groups have been nominated for awards by others from their community who want to recognize the contributions they are making. These are only a small portion of the thousands of people who generously give their time each year.
Volunteers provide a critical service to our communities. They are the coaches who give their spare time to train others, the firefighters who help keep us safe, the caregivers for people in need and the neighbours that help the elderly with snow or groceries.
Recognition of individuals and groups for their contribution promotes the importance of volunteerism and showcases the need for others to help out.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is now accepting applications for the 2011 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards. Individuals or groups can be nominated in four categories: elder, youth, group, and individual. Nomination forms are available at all community government offices and on the Web at proud2beNWT.ca and the department’s website. The deadline for nominations is March 25, 2011. An announcement of this year’s recognition event will be made in early May.
Members are encouraged to support volunteer recognition by inviting their constituents to nominate that special volunteer or group in their community.
Recognizing outstanding NWT volunteers is an important part of the Government of the Northwest Territories Building Our Future Initiative, which aims, in part, to improve support to the voluntary sector. Strengthening the voluntary sector supports our goal of healthy, educated people and sustainable, vibrant and safe communities as envisioned in the 16th Assembly’s vision of Northerners Working Together. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Mr. Roland.
