Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the NGOs out there are the real super heros. They may not wear capes or have special rings, they don't fly invisible jets, but they are a beacon of hope. Sometimes they're the only light out there in the dark.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to taking responsibilities, the government doesn't want to get its hands dirty, who does it call? An NGO, Mr. Speaker.
Now, we shouldn't view NGOs as they continually be as the agency of last report. Take the Yellowknife Sobering Centre, Mr. Speaker. When it was ran by an NGO, they were capped at under $800,000 a year. When the GNWT runs it, they funded over $3 million a year, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, that example alone is demonstrating the government supports those in the NGO industry not to have a living wage. Mr. Speaker, I envision this is an example that the finance Minister is out there daydreaming as the day goes on in a dreaming of the Mel Lastman style of pitch for NGOs, kind of like bad boys out on the street. Some NGO who's financially hungry and desperate for any opportunity, they've got sandwich boards on, they're saying and popup balloons saying they will do trauma supports for cheap, Mr. Speaker. Twoforone Tuesday for trauma, Mr. Speaker. They are NGOs are so desperate they'll take any opportunity they can.
Now, that is a fictitious example. But I worked in the NGO sector. They are desperate for real respect and financial supports. Mr. Speaker, there's just no way we can keep letting them feel this way because they truly are the cornerstone of some of our social programs. An NGO carries a financial burden in ways the government cannot or will not. Mr. Speaker, their funding does not allow them to pay for the rent, their staff, and all their program needs fairly and reasonably. The Yellowknife Sobering Centre example is exactly the example that hurts them. Any money they have left over at the end of the year, Mr. Speaker, gets clawed back so they can't have vision. They can't tell their employees that they are planning for the future. It's literally month to month for many of these people.
Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, we need sustainable funding for NGOs. They need to be treated with respect. They need inflationary and multiyear agreements, because they matter. And without them, we would be lost. Mr. Speaker, hurray for the NGOs. I am here for them, and I have no doubt all our good Members here support them as well. Cheers.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Members' statements.
