Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do agree with the Member that the work of NGOs is
crucial to the delivery of programs and services in the Territories. Obviously the volunteer sector, and I think the Member is including the NGO sector as well, has different categories of NGO groups in the Territories.
The Department of Health and Social Services has not reduced any grants and contributions to any of the groups the department is responsible for funding. Most of them are through health authorities, but we have over $1 million we do fund from the Department of Health. In fact, in the last year there were a number of situations where extra money was found to fund the YWCA, YACCS and organizations like the Salvation Army and lots of other organizations. They are getting funding from not only the Department of Health but lots of other organizations. I want to say that under the fiscal situation we are operating I have made it a priority to make sure that NGOs are treated very much the same way as the front-line services. We have to make great effort, actually, to maintain the funding for NGOs at their current level. I believe the Premier has stated in his budget statement that there will be some more work done on looking at the NGO sector and volunteer sector and work on a new initiative.