Debates of November 27, 2007 (day 3)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Premier. Given that the voluntary sector is diverse and provides support to all areas of a community, there is merit in having the mandate for supporting the voluntary sector transfer to the Executive. Currently with MACA, the mandate is for sport, recreation and youth, and does not give them the knowledge, expertise and whatnot to reach out and address issues of voluntary groups such as justice and arts and whatnot. As Premier, would you commit to supporting the voluntary sector creating a clear and logical singular point of contact and allocating the responsibility for supporting this sector to the Executive? This will send a message that the GNWT values the voluntary sector and is committed to voluntarism and developing an open, informed, sustainable dialogue with the NWT voluntary sector. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. The honourable Premier, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 16-16(1): Transfer Of Volunteerism To The Department Of The Executive

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the area of the volunteer sector has played a prominent role within the government and a number of departments. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs now has that area of responsibility and the Minister in charge has been working with a number of departments. So there are a number of initiatives that have worked their way into the system, maybe not to the level as groups would like, and if it’s the will of this Assembly that we re-look at that, where it sits, be prepared to review that scenario, I can say now that just because it would sit in the Executive doesn’t mean that we would change our answers; we’d have to look at the whole process of changes or the requests that are being made case by case. Thank you.