Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you for the answer. She is the Minister of Health and Social Services, so that's why I was addressing.

Can the Minister report on any progress achieved to reverse the poor health trends in the Tlicho region since the report was tabled over two years ago?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I am going to be talking about NWT Health Status Chartbook published in the fall of 2019.

Madam Speaker, this report details the health of NWT residents and this report clearly shows that the need of the people in the Tlicho region have long been ignored. The region has the worst health indicators in almost every area that is measured. These poor health indicators are the results of lack of attention and action from the Government of the Northwest Territories over many years. For example, many people do not have access to clean running water right now. This is...

Well, we just did the Finance budget today. So Mr. Speaker, with reference to the 2014 study that identified the shortfall in funding many community governments, will the Minister agree to update the 2014 study to identify the current shortfall in funding for NWT community government and commit to correct the inequalities in a timely manner? Thank you.

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.

What's that?

Well, that wasn't the answer I was looking for but I think I don't think he really answered my questions too as well. So the Minister talks about $40 million. Some of this funding includes money for daily operations. People have to live and eat and work. So some of them goes to the operations, and this money is not for capital replacement like he is talking about. What money is available needed to maintain the existing infrastructure and not do a major capital plan replacement. So what money is available? That's what I'm asking him. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question for the Minister of MACA. Will the Minister commit to providing funding to the community to resolve this issue.