Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide Members with information on the 2002 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program.
Municipal and Community Affairs began the Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program in 1991. The awards program recognizes the important contribution that volunteers make to our communities and the whole NWT. Since 1991, awards have been presented to individuals and organizations nominated by the public for their volunteer work. By drawing attention to these volunteers, the awards also highlight the role that all NWT volunteers play.
I am pleased to announce that the NWT Power Corporation joined the department as the corporate sponsor for the awards program this past year. With the assistance of the Power Corporation, we have been able to improve promotion of the NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards Program and expand the recognition all volunteers receive.
Mr. Speaker, helping our friends and neighbours is a way of life for Northerners. Sometimes we help out by volunteering with a group or organization. Often we help out in more informal ways. Some examples may include shoveling snow for a neighbour or sharing food from a hunt. The NWT Volunteer Awards Program presents awards in several categories to highlight the many different ways that people may volunteer. These include:
- • Respected Elder Award
- • High Five Youth Award
- • Good Neighbour Award
- • Outstanding Volunteer Award
- • Board Member Award
- • Outstanding Community/Regional/Territorial Organization Award
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to advise Members that the department will be introducing a special volunteer recognition program later this spring. This program will recognize fire fighters and their fire departments for their service and dedication to community safety. We plan to present the first fire fighter awards during Fire Safety Week in October. I will have more information on this program for Members this spring.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind Members that nominations for the 2002 NWT Outstanding Volunteer Awards close on February 28th. Awards will be presented in the categories I mentioned at the territorial level and in each region. I would like to invite all Members and their constituents to nominate a volunteer from their communities for an award. Nomination forms are available from MACA and Power Corporation offices. I will announce award recipients in April during National Volunteer Week, when we will also hold events to recognize all NWT volunteers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause