Date
August
16
2007
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of August 16, 2007 (day 11)
Topics
Statements
Minister’s Statement 31-15(6): Hamlet Of Enterprise
Michael McLeod
Deh Cho
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to announce that, after extensive consideration by the residents of Enterprise and their council, the Settlement of Enterprise will become a hamlet on October 29, 2007.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working with the Enterprise council and residents to explain the differences between a hamlet and a settlement and what the changed roles and responsibilities mean. There are many benefits to the community in becoming a hamlet, including the ability to pass legally enforceable bylaws, the authority to develop land management and development schemes, the ability to acquire and dispose of real property, and authority and control over capital programs and infrastructure.
The new hamlet will take over its jurisdiction within the same boundary currently enjoyed by the Settlement of Enterprise. The new hamlet will also become the owners of the municipal infrastructure currently owned by the GNWT in the community.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs will continue to support the hamlet of Enterprise through increased financial support for operations and maintenance funding.
As well, for the first time, the community will receive funds allocated for capital through the capital funding formula and a funding allocation available through the Canada-NWT Gas Tax Agreement.
The community has selected October 1, 2007, for its election, at which time a new hamlet council will be elected. On this date, for the first time in Enterprise, the community will have the authority to elect a mayor separate from the rest of the council.
Community residents are looking forward to the increased authority, responsibility, local control and accountability that will come with this change. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is also looking forward to continuing to partner with the new hamlet council to build capacity as it addresses local issues and priorities.
I would like to congratulate the community of Enterprise for taking this very important step towards greater responsibility and autonomy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
---Applause