Debates of October 26, 2006 (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about the effects of the recent cuts by the federal government and what those effects will have on volunteer NWT as well as the rest of the volunteer sector, Mr. Speaker. This Assembly has recognized the contributions of volunteers and how it plays a significant role in improving our social, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions throughout our North. We are aware of how much they enhance our quality of life in the NWT and they contribute to our economy approximately $50 million, Mr. Speaker.

In March 2005 the Premier signed the GNWT Declaration on Volunteering with his Cabinet approval. On behalf of the government, the Premier committed to honour and support the NWT volunteers and the volunteering organizations, support the implementation of the voluntary sector initiative, and establish linkages with other levels of governments and business sectors, Mr. Speaker. This government must live up to their commitments it made to the NWT volunteers and the other organizations when they embarked on this initiative and to this declaration that they made in 2005.

Mr. Speaker, one of the goals of this GNWT action plan was to seek financial stability within voluntary organizations and to link GNWT and federal government voluntary support initiatives. The federal government must hear what these cuts mean to us as a territory, as an Assembly and as a people. The government needs to display its ability to handle the situation and to ensure that those commitments made last year to those volunteers are truly met.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I look to Cabinet for leadership on this issue, commitment to be followed through, and support demonstrated clearly to the volunteer sector. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause