Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity today to update my colleagues and the public on the Yellowknife United Way campaign. We all know intuitively that the Northwest Territories is very generous and there are many, many fund raising events held every year and most of them are very successful. Think back to the Run for the Cure and the kinds of fund-raising efforts that happened and the numbers that were coming out of a campaign like that compared us to cities like Halifax, much bigger cities, Mr. Speaker. I think that is something we often see in the NWT.

If you remember about a year ago, there was a newly formed chapter of the United Way in Yellowknife. It's first ever fundraising campaign began last October and to date, I am pleased to say, Mr. Speaker, they have been successful in raising about $63,000, both through payroll deductions and through donations. I think this is great news. We know the United Way is an international charity committed to building strong and healthy communities and they support many worthwhile programs and services. How this money will be spent will be determined this spring. It will be an RFP process and community organizations can put in proposals and I think the United Way is doing something very good here. They are recognizing that they want to try to fund programs that are going to have timelines of two to three years. We know many NGOs are telling us they don't have the manpower, the resources or capacity to be continuing reapplying for funds. I think this is a great approach as to how the money might be spent. Also, Mr. Speaker, much of the money can be donated to specific Canadian charities registered in the NWT. For instance, if you have payroll deductions coming off your paycheque, you can decide where your money will go.

I have had a chance to take a look at the registered charities in the NWT that are signed up with the United Way. There are well over 100 of them and I think my colleagues will be interested to know that many of them are not in Yellowknife. I know that was a concern when this was being discussed, that this would help Yellowknife and it wasn't going to do much for outlying communities. It looks like there are about 15 Hay River organizations on here, 10 to 15 from Fort Smith, some from Providence, Resolution, McPherson, Good Hope. I think this is a great start, Mr. Speaker, and I am sure we will see more and more organizations join the list. If you are curious or interested to see the list of organizations, you can go to www.yellowknife.unitedway.ca. I think this is a great program. Mr. Speaker, I think we should also thank the Minister of Finance who allowed the payroll deduction to take place. I hope my colleagues will join me in thanking this new organization for their hard work. Thank you.

---Applause