Response to Ministerial Statement on National Philanthropy Day
Ms Blakeman:
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I join the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit in thanking those citizens who donate their time, talents, and money to our charities and nonprofits. The generosity of these people deserves celebration. I feel blessed to have known some wonderful philanthropists.
That being said, I believe that we must also recognize the challenges facing Alberta’s nonprofit sector. As baby boomers age, they are volunteering less, and so far younger generations have not yet stepped up in great enough numbers to take their place. The sector is also being challenged by this administration’s constant failure to provide stable public funding. Our charities and nonprofits are consistently being asked to do more with less. With this administration cutting millions from core services, the problem can only be expected to get worse.
One of the primary responsibilities of government is to provide protection and leadership in those areas where private enterprise and charitable institutions cannot. Perhaps they could look to the Muttart Foundation for inspiration and ideas. This Edmonton-based philanthropic foundation does amazing work, dispensing funds to many causes, including NGO management development. One of their programs provides funding for not-for-profit managers to take a one year educational sabbatical, a program that has kept many experienced, talented managers here in Alberta working in a vital sector.
Albertans are remarkably generous, but our philanthropy should not be mistaken as an endorsement for another round of massive cuts to the public sector. Government has a role to play, and it’s time for this administration to stop off-loading their responsibilities to a sector that’s already being pushed to the limit. In recognition of that and on behalf of my colleagues in the Official Opposition I would like to thank again all those who donate time and money to make our society a better place.
Thank you.
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