Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Communities are the backbone of our territory and our economy. With the New Deal that our Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has put in place over the last few years, some of our communities are struggling to manage their new — I hesitate to say it, but must — downloaded responsibilities. Small communities in particular lack the capacity to adequately handle this additional work. There are capacity gaps in human resources, skilled workers — like everywhere else across the country — and specialized knowledge. Dealing with contracts is a perfect example.
I must give credit to MACA, which has provided some assistance to date. But what MACA can offer is not enough to fill the gaps that communities are experiencing. The needs of our communities are great, Mr. Speaker. Not only are they responsible for the basics — roads, water and sewer and garbage — but they are expected to provide many other programs and services for their residents as well.
Municipalities see demands for social issues as well: housing, health, seniors and eldercare and so on. As any municipal councillor will tell you, there is a never ending list of things that could be done if only they had the money. Just like us here at the Legislative Assembly, councils struggle to meet the needs of their residents on limited funds. There is never enough to do it all.
Mr. Speaker, One Way This Government Can Assist Our Community Government Is To Establish A Revolving, Repayable Low Or No Interest Infrastructure Fund Which Communities Can Access For Assistance In Financing Their High Cost Infrastructure Needs. Things Such As Water Treatment Plants, Sewage Lagoons Or Sewage Treatment Plants, New Roads Or Road Replacements, Landfill Sites, Deferred Maintenance: the list can be endless. Yes, there are funds out there already, but these funds often have stringent guidelines, which don’t fit the projects that need doing in the community.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
