Debates of June 2, 2006 (day 4)
Member’s Statement On Need For More Funding For Non-Government Organizations
Mahsi. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Funding for non-government organizations is an issue constantly raised with me and my colleagues and our committees when we meet with organizations doing very valuable work in the voluntary sector.
Mr. Speaker, NGOs and their volunteer efforts cut across all areas of our daily lives here in the communities; cultural, economic, educational, environmental, sporting and, of course, social programs. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that without their contribution, life in the NWT would be much different.
An issue particularly is the acute need of those organizations such as the YWCA, the Tree of Peace, the Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, to be able to offer their staff competitive wage packages that will allow them to be able to stay in business.
Mr. Speaker, staffing for these organizations really is becoming a revolving door as they bring people into their payrolls, get them up trained and familiar with the circumstances in the North. They are very often the first people that the government and other agencies want to have and so they are easily lured away.
Mr. Speaker, the YACCS organization, this is the Concerned Citizens for Seniors here in Yellowknife, with a staff of 30 sees a salary variance of approximately 20 percent in comparison to government. A recent review by the YWCA, which has 150 staff delivering much needed social programs, found that its frontline workers receive $10,000 a year, or about $5 an hour less than similar public service positions. These differences do not, Mr. Speaker, reflect further variances that are caused by pensions that governments and larger operations are able to offer.
Mr. Speaker, it is urgent that we look at the need for NGOs if government is to continue to rely on the contributions these sectors make to our society. Mr. Speaker, it is time this government recognizes the true value of these organizations lead by volunteers to our society. It is time we add new cash to their resources, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause