Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you. Well, I don't think I did not receive the email that he is referring to. And I know that I keep checking my email. I didn't get anything from him. But I keep getting email from his assistant. So if he sent that email yesterday, I would like to see it today, if he can resend it.

Mr. Speaker, does the formula for funding received by the community government, especially in Behchoko into consideration that there are two distinct geographic communities? Each community has its own water plants, sewer facilities, water, and sewer distribution centre systems, fire halls, fire fighting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, I'm going to be addressing on the lack of funding in the communities.

Mr. Speaker, the lack of funding for communities is well known. It is mandate priority for this Assembly to address the municipal funding gaps. The current state of water services in Behchoko is exactly what happens when government chronically underfunds communities. They end up in a state of crisis.

In 2014, the community of Behchoko was known to be underfunded by $1.9 million. Mr. Speaker, seven years ago, the community was shortfall nearly $2 million annually to provide basic services. How...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, well, I would like to see the email again. But what I would like for the Minister to do is that to meet with me and the community leaders to discuss these important issues.

So another question is that, Mr. Speaker, I know that we are coming to a fiscal year end, okay. So there may be some operational budgets that have not been fully spent. Can the Minister commit to work with the Department of Finance to identify where there is any unused funding across the entire GNWT and redirect these unused funds for a onetime payment to the community, especially those just...

Thank you. Okay, before I begin, I would like to for the record, I would like to say that three of four Tlicho communities Behchoko, Whati and Wekweeti are underfunded. They are underfunded communities, so I just wanted to say that for the record.

So Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Minister referred to an agreement in 2007. It is now year 2022, and we have a community without access to clean water as identified in United Nation Declaration on Human Rights. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister focus on what can be done now, not on what was done in the past? Thank you.

I apologize. I'm sorry, Mr., whatever. Okay, okay.

In 2007, when he made reference to 2007, and I think in 2007 when the decision was made to take out another project, that was with good intention. And there's a lot of things that we have done. But there was nothing that for all the years that I was there too, we never I don't want to say discredit again but I know they do get our financial statement. And if they knew that there was something wrong with our water pipe system 40 years ago, why didn't they address it back then and tell us. And years later, when we're experiencing this problem...

Okay, okay. Then I'll

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, I know he made numerous reference to the $40 millions and to the 2007, and I think I know what this Minister is trying to do, is that he is trying to discredit the community government and playing blaming game. I won't have time for that. So I think that's what he's trying do.

Thank you. Does the Minister think it is fair to give community gas tax funding of a million dollars in 2007 and not provide any funding for a 40yearold water pipe liability costing over $10 million. Will the Minister commit to seeking out unused funds from other departments to respond to the emergency? Thank you.

Okay. Mr. Speaker, all of these department have to shut down their offices due to water problems. Both school have frozen pipes several times in the winters. In January, senior home had to bring in water to manual flush toilets with bucket. All government services and offices were shut down for two weeks after Christmas due to water problems. By not helping the community resolve this problem, I feel GNWT is making a decision that will impact essential community services.

Mr. Speaker, water is a human right, and it is important to people's health and wellness. Even the Minister said it himself...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table three documents. The first is an article from the Housing Policy Debate Journal entitled Housing and Homelessness in Indigenous Communities in the Northwest Territories, in Canada's Nnorth.

The second document is the health status chart book transition and strategic planning dated fall 2019 prior to 19th Assembly elections. And the third one, email and estimates for a new sewer and water tank in Edzo. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.