Mr. Speaker, I also want to highlight the volunteer sector. It seems to be the day on both sides of the House for volunteers, the people who work in community groups and agencies and the volunteers who give their time to keep our communities healthy, vibrant and safe.
The voluntary sector is a key component that will make this government’s preventative and fiscally responsible approach work. The voluntary sector includes community groups that provide services dealing with poverty, substance abuse, family violence, homelessness, art, youth justice and the environment. They work on prevention of social issues and on skill development such as literacy, land skills and social communication.
Volunteer groups provide information about environmental issues to help us build a sustainable North, and they work hard at organizing sports and recreation events, as with the 20th Arctic Winter
Games, soon to take place. Volunteer groups lead us in celebrations, music festivals, arts exhibits, cultural events and spring jamborees across the N.W.T., which help to build community and remind us of our collective joyous spirit. The sector helps us help each other. Volunteer groups have an ear to the ground in our communities, and they often understand ahead of government what the needs are to keep us safe and vibrant.
This government contributes millions of dollars to front-line volunteer groups yet offers very little directed support to help ensure maximum returns on this investment. Acknowledging this, we adopted the Volunteer Support Initiative in 2005, but we have yet to provide the necessary funds to really implement it. I want to recognize that with the loss of federal support, we did step up to provide emergency funding.
However, in recognizing the volunteer sector as one of this government’s most important partners, I urge this House to fully implement the N.W.T. Volunteer Support Initiative, confirm multi-year funding to provide certainty and efficiencies, identify a high-level single point of contact and communication, and work with Volunteer NWT to make a difference.
As we have recognized in our goals, it is through partnerships that our government can move forward in times of fiscal restraint. The voluntary sector can work with this government, business and our residents to achieve sustainable, vibrant and safe communities and the goals of the 16th Assembly.
Mahsi.