Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about funding for the NWT SPCA. This organization serves 31 communities in the NWT, with the important mission of providing humane treatment of animals.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and want to offer credit to this government that it came through with $43,000 in stabilization for the NWT SPCA. It was a hard-fought achievement, and it is a good-news story. I appreciate that the government came around, and so will many Northerners. Everyone who worked to make this funding possible should be proud of the achievement.
Just last weekend, I was part of the SPCA's public fundraising event. Even with the one-time funding that was provided previously by the GNWT, the SPCA has to work constantly to find the financial resources it needs, and no wonder. It employs up 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 building, which it now pays to operate. It relies heavily on volunteers including its board members. These are people who volunteer their time because they care about the welfare of our animals.
I am proud that the NWT SPCA receive these funds, but I think this government has to go another step further and provide ongoing financial support. The City of Yellowknife supports the SPCA to the tune of almost $20,000 a year. Individuals and businesses contribute thousands a year. The territorial government needs to step up and provide ongoing annual funding to support the SPCA's important work through whatever means.
Mr. Speaker, 31 communities count on the services the SPCA provides. Those include the community spay-neuter program, the pet food and supplies for communities program, animal rescue and protection, and the animal health initiative program, and the demand is growing.
The SPCA has achieved a lot, and this territory needs its services, but it's warning us that it can't continue without the right support. Our government needs to commit to help relieve the burden with dependable, long-term financial support. Thank you, Mr. Chair.