Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to oral question asked by Ms. Bisaro on May 19, 2011, regarding NWT SPCA fundraising for new animal shelter.

While there is funding available to the SPCA to assist with volunteer development -- refer to MACA’s Volunteer Development Coordination Policy at www.maca.gov.nt.ca -- no department in the GNWT has funding available to assist non-profit organizations with building construction costs.

I’m pleased to note that recent media stories have reported on this non-profit’s progress at obtaining land from the City of Yellowknife for a new shelter. In addition, media stories have reported that the NWT SPCA has been awarded $300,000 from the Aviva Community Fund and will obtain this funding once they have secured land for the shelter. It is encouraging to see this volunteer organization’s

success at undertaking fundraising efforts to support its operation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.