Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about the welfare of animals in our communities. Specifically, I want to talk about the NWT SPCA, an organization that serves 31 communities in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, most of us have had pets in our lives. Dogs, cats, and other animals become part of your family, an integral part of our lives. I got my dog, Hogan, from the SPCA almost 10 years ago, and, of course, he has been an important part of my life ever since.

Mr. Speaker, it concerns me greatly that the NWT SPCA, an agency dedicated to the humane treatment of animals, has to regularly plead for financial support. It employs nine to 12 people. It spends $30,000 a year providing dog food and straw to NWT communities. It spends $50,000 a year on medical supplies. It fundraised to buy its own piece of land and build its own new facility. It relies heavily on volunteers, including its board members, people who volunteer their time because they care about the welfare of animals.

Yet, Mr. Speaker, the NWT SPCA receives no ongoing financial support from this government. The City of Yellowknife supports the SPCA to the tune of almost $20,000 per year. Individuals and businesses contribute thousands of dollars per year. However, our government, despite numerous appeals, has only been able to provide a small one-time grant, and, when the SPCA appealed for support last fall, the Minister's reply was simply that "we don't see any fit" with funding programs. I suggest that this isn't a good enough answer, Mr. Speaker.

MACA has a program to offer stabilization funding to NGOs, but, to qualify, the NGOs have to already be receiving $50,000 per year in government funding. The SPCA isn't, so it doesn't qualify for the stabilization funding.

Mr. Speaker, 31 communities count on the services that the NWT SPCA provides. The demand is growing. The more they do, the more services people want. Without them, problems of canine overpopulation, strays, neglect, and inhumane conditions would become much worse, but its essential work is just not sustainable with current funding.

The SPCA has achieved a lot, and we need its services, but it is warning us that it can't continue. Our government needs to step up and help relieve the burden.

At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of MACA. Thank you.