Thank you, Mr. Chair. There’s been a significant amount of discussion in this regard, regarding the voluntary sector. I personally have been encouraging this government to support this sector since day one. As I discussed the benefits of the sector during the separate motion yesterday, I won’t necessarily rehash them here today.
Yesterday, I made the motion encouraging MACA to support the voluntary sector. During that motion I indicated that I believe that support for the sector, specifically Volunteer NWT, should be within an executive branch of this government. I made the motion in MACA, as that is where the support has been traditionally held, to date. Given the wide-ranging impact and benefits of the voluntary sector — health, sports, youth, social, arts and culture — it doesn’t make sense to have the primary department responsible for working with and supporting this sector be a program department, such as MACA.
I move this motion in the hope that Cabinet will recognize the value of the sector and have the Department of Executive take the lead role in developing an ongoing relationship with the sector, specifically Volunteer NWT, and further identify funding for Volunteer NWT, the central voice of the entire sector.