Mr. Speaker, the vision of a strong, healthy territory is shared by the Members of the 18th Legislative Assembly, Northwest Territories residents, non-governmental organizations across the Northwest Territories, and by our public servants. Investing in our people through organizations such as the United Way Northwest Territories brings us closer to that vision. On behalf of myself and my co-chair Todd Parsons, President of the Union of Northern Workers, I am pleased to announce this year’s staff payroll campaign kicked-off on Friday, October 21, 2016.

Mr. Speaker, United Way is committed to investing in the health and well-being of our people and our communities and building prosperity in the Northwest Territories through three areas of focus:

● From poverty to possibility. Moving people out of poverty and meeting basic human needs;

● Healthy people, strong communities. Improving access to social and health-related support services, supporting resident and community engagement, and supporting community integration and settlement; and

● All that kids can be. Improving access to early childhood and development learning programs, helping kids do well and complete high school, and supporting the healthy transition into adulthood and post-secondary education.

Mr. Speaker, through the annual month-long GNWT Workplace Campaign, employees and Members of the Legislative Assembly can sign up for payroll deductions. Participation is voluntary and provides an easy way to give to the United Way and other registered non-profit organizations that are based in and focus on the Northwest Territories. Many of you are donors already and I thank you for your generosity. I encourage others to think about what a difference your donation, no matter how small, can make in the lives of Northerners.

This is the 14th year of the campaign, and we hope to meet our goal of 10 per cent employee participation. I understand departmental coordinators are organizing events until November 25th to promote the campaign and to raise money for United Way. I encourage all Government of the Northwest Territories employees to consider how they could help support their departmental coordinators as they raise money for this worthy cause.

The United Way has had a positive impact on the people of our Territory. Over the past five years, approximately $435,000 has been distributed to various registered charities across the Northwest Territories. Last year, the United Way invested over $90,000 in 20 different projects. This year, because of an increase in donations, $155,000 was distributed to 21 organizations across the Northwest Territories.

For the first time ever, we were able to introduce a multi-year funding pilot project which provides $15,000 a year, for three years, to the Pan-Territorial NWT Breast Health/Cancer Action/Awareness Group. This multi-year agreement will allow the organization to better plan and implement programs that will have a real impact on the lives of people living in our communities.

I want to thank all the contributors and volunteers of the United Way and to chair, Tracy St. Denis of Industry, Tourism and Investment, our Government of the Northwest Territories’ Workplace Campaign departmental coordinators and all the employees that are donating and signing up for payroll deductions. Your efforts are making a difference and I am excited about the opportunity that we have to do even more. As the United Way slogan says "Change Starts Here," and we all have an opportunity to be part of the change.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.