Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the nonprofit and charitable sector play a critical role in essential service delivery in the Northwest Territories. They fill numerous gaps in government service which would be much more expensive to fill if the GNWT tried to deliver these services alone. Our network of NGOs is essential to ensuring people aren't falling through the cracks. For many years, NGOs have been saying to government that they are overburdened with administration of numerous funding agreements, feel undervalued and disrespected, and struggle to keep the lights on year to year despite the territory's reliance on them for service delivery. In response to these concerns, the GNWT produced a program managers' guide for funding NGOs in 2014. Unfortunately, though, Mr. Speaker, it seems this guide did not result in much tangible change because nine years into its implementation, the concerns it was intended to address are being reiterated to MLAs as we engage on priorities for the 20th Assembly.
I am pleased to note that in 2023, the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs initiated an external committee focused on strengthening the nonprofit and charitable sector. The committee produced a report which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 6th, 2023, and I am raising its profile now at the start of this Assembly to ensure it is not forgotten, which so often happens with this kind of report.
Somewhat ironically, one of the key recommendations of the report is simply that the GNWT implement the tools included in the 2014 program managers' guide. The report further recommends updating the program managers' guide within a year with some recommendations for improvement. Lastly, the report recommends the GNWT provide additional support to increase capacity of the nonprofit sector in the NWT.
These are simple and actionable recommendations, Mr. Speaker, and I think as this renewed government looks to establish new ways of doing business, ensuring timely and tangible change in how the GNWT manages its relationships with the nonprofit and charitable sector, can be a quick win.
And since I have a little bit of time, I just wanted to say to all the folks in the nonprofit sector and charitable sector who have engaged with us so far, thank you for taking the time to engage with us. We see you, we hear you, and appreciate the work that you do. I'll have questions on this subject for the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you. Members' statements. Inuvik Boot Lake.
