Kieron Testart

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.

Thanks for the clarification of process. I think that is a much better option than the current approach. Nothing further, Mr. Chair.

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. Chair. I encourage all Members to support this motion. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), the Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019 be amended on page 32 by deleting the words “We will do a better job of making our residents aware of the mechanisms available to appeal government decisions” and inserting the words “We will develop and implement an effective communications plan to make residents aware of the mechanisms of available to appeal government decisions.” Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that Tabled Document 1-18(2), Proposed Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2016-2019, be amended on page 13 by inserting the words “We will review and develop amendments to the Northwest Territories Heritage Fund Act in light of devolution to ensure a defined revenue stream and stronger public governance.”