Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to back up my colleague’s statements there. The voluntary sector provides jobs, training, leadership on social justice and environmental issues, recreation, cultural opportunities.

Volunteer NWT is unable to obtain additional support from either the federal or territorial governments, so it’s had to end its operations effective immediately. But they had $79,800 lined up in funding from the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, as the Minister acknowledged. This is a real lost opportunity for us and this important role.

Volunteers and voluntary organizations are all about taking responsibility for what happens in their community, and that’s exactly what our hundreds if not thousands of volunteers do. Statistics clearly show that the NWT has major social problems compared to elsewhere in Canada, so there’s a big role for the voluntary and non-profit sector here.

I just want to note that when we support our volunteers, we are working together to address many of the goals set by this 16th Legislative

Assembly, such as a strong and independent North built on partnerships, an environment that will sustain present and future generations, sustainable, vibrant, safe communities, and healthy, educated people.

I know, also, that my colleague mentioned the MACA versus Executive aspect of this issue. I know the Premier is listening, and I know he has expressed a commitment to doing something about this, but I want to again add my voice.

I will clearly be supporting this motion, and I’m requesting a recorded vote.

To the motion. Question is being called. The Member has requested a recorded vote.

All those against, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.

The count of the vote is ten in favour, none against, five abstentions. The motion is carried.

Motion carried.

Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a committee motion. I move that this committee strongly recommend that the government take immediate action to develop a strategic plan that identifies concrete actions, including the necessary investment to provide meaningful support for youth programs; and further, that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs include the strategic plan within its departmental business plans to be considered for the fall of 2008.

The motion is in order. The motion is being circulated. To the motion, Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair. This

contribution to youth has been eliminated from the MACA budget. I think it’s important to keep all the youth money in. This is for sport, rec, youth; mainly the majority of the budget is for regional youth contributions.

I’ve said enough about the youth. This is more money for the youth they want to see eliminated from the budget.

To the motion.

Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I will be supporting this motion. It speaks to one of my views: that we’ve got to continue reiterating and following up on the mission and vision statement of the government that youth is important to us as a government and to us as a jurisdiction and a territory. Working toward and developing a strategy and integrating it into our government is very, very important, so I’ll certainly support this motion.

To the motion,

Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll be supporting the motion. Having the experience of growing up in a small community, I believe that every opportunity you can have to invest in productive and creative challenges for youth, giving them a good experience, will help lead them to the growth of better things and give them the chance of greater opportunities. Idle hands do the devil’s work, as they say; I think that investing in youth keeps them on the right track.

I’m fortunate enough to say we had good investment when I was young. We had a community centre, and a lot of us spent a lot of good time there. You know, I

think a solid

investment kept us on track. Of course, the beatings at home from time to time to keep us on the straight and narrow didn’t hurt.

Laughter.

Mr. Chairman, for the record, that was just a joke. If my mom goes back and reads this, then I will get a beating.

Mr. Chairman, the fact is that whether you’re in Yellowknife or a small community, the more you can invest in the opportunities for youth, whether it’s in sports and recreation or some type of art program, you can help develop and foster that creativity in young people to help make them better people. With that comes responsibility and growth. If you can keep them away from those sour things known as drugs and alcohol every chance you get, I think we’ve made solid investments.

I’d like to think we could never put enough money into this budget, because I don’t think you ever could. But you can’t do everything; we know that. This motion speaks volumes to the fact that I’m certainly committed to the growth of our youth. Every chance we get, I definitely want to see if I can help support them. With that, Mr. Chairman, I’ll be supporting this motion, and I thank the committee for the time.

To the motion. Question is being called.

Motion carried.

We’re on page 4-39, Sport, Recreation and Youth; Activity Summary; Grants and Contributions: $1.1 million. Total Grants: $1.1 million. Ms. Bisaro.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to ask about the sport and recreation contributions. I’m given to understand that the sport and recreation contributions will be reduced by $1.075 million in the next fiscal year. I wondered if I could get an explanation as to where those reductions will come.

The Minister of MACA.

Mr. Chairman,

the

Premier’s address indicated that sports and recreation funding will be stabilized and that there will be no reductions in that area.

Mr. Chair, that’s good to hear. So we can assume that contributions will be at least at 2008–2009 budgeted figures?

Mr. Chairman, initially there was an intent to look at reductions in year 2. That has been changed, and there are no plans to reduce funding in this area.

That’s great. Thank you.

We’re on page 4-40, Sport, Recreation and Youth; Activity Summary; Grants and Contributions: $1.1 million.

Department of Municipal and Community

Affairs, Activity Summary, Sport, Recreation and Youth, Grants and Contributions — Continued: $1.1 million, approved.