Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is more a question or comment on process, but my understanding is that, notwithstanding the excellent exchange of questions between the Minister and the Member for Frame Lake, special warrants are not something that this House need approve. They are already at the discretion of the Financial Management Board or Executive Council. I’m just wondering if there is any further requirement to address this by this committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do understand that the transfer was made and it's just continuing through with the traditional economy activities. I'm just wondering why that decision was made from a structural viewpoint, why ITI's no longer responsible for the traditional economy activities and why that's moved over to ENR and further to that, what the benefit of that to government operations is in moving the transfer of traditional economy from ITI, which is responsible for most of our economic programs, over to ENR. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I might encourage the Minister to ask our friends in Ottawa if they can provide $27 million to fund our communities that are badly in need of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yesterday, this House adopted the mandate of the Northwest Territories for 2016 to 2019. In that, there is a commitment that we will develop a strategy to close the gap in funding levels to meet municipal core needs. The Minister just alluded to that. Can we have some timelines on when that strategy will be prepared for consideration by the government or this House?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Conference Board of Canada released its economic forecast for the Northwest Territories, and while much of this information is not news to this government, there are some good news stories. The resources revenues are expected to increase and there should be more revenue in the future to invest in. I don't want to talk too much about that today. What I'm more interested in is the need for infrastructure in our communities and the equal need for economic activity in our communities. The Government of Canada has made a bold decision to spend more than $10...

That's fair. I guess I object to that special warrant existing in here, because, even if we disagree, the money is still allocated. It's more a comment on process. I recognize that it is a change to debate and talk about it, but there are other avenues for that as well.

Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I note that there was a decision to transfer the Fur Harvest Management System from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. I'm just wondering if the Minister could inform the committee on why that decision was made and the benefits of the transfer to the operation of this program. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Can the Minister answer if this strategy will include spending money or if it will just be a strategy on paper?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, properly maintained community infrastructure makes our communities safer and more cost-effective, and will provide jobs and economic growth in the short term. Will the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs explain how far along we are with closing the $27-million gap that our communities are lacking? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.