Mr. Speaker, my Member’s statement today is about the need for this government to realign its priorities to deal with the infrastructure deficit of the NWT, specifically in the area of recreational facilities.

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I was pleased to note that the Minister of Finance’s budget address placed significant emphasis on the need for infrastructure in the NWT communities. It is a sad reality that the tight fiscal situation of recent years has meant the infrastructure needs of communities have taken a back seat to other priorities and, as a result, the NWT is in a substantial infrastructure deficit. I am pleased to see that the government has recognized this need. In the budget address, the Minister of Finance announced the government’s intention to establish a stable funding base of $25 million per year for infrastructure development in our communities, effective April 1, 2006.

When it comes to spending infrastructure dollars, Mr. Speaker, the priority of this government has not been in the area of recreational facilities. Needs have been identified, but base requirements for recreational facilities continually get bumped further and further back on the 20-year plan. For a long time, there was not much we could do. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. As the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs pointed out in Committee of the Whole yesterday, the department is in a far different financial position now than it has been in the last few years. It has seen an 87 percent increase in infrastructure funding, thanks to the new deal for the municipal governments, the municipal rural infrastructure fund, and the new money under the federal gas tax.

Once the terms of these agreements have been nailed down and everything has been signed off, the department will be ready to realign its priorities within the context of the fiscal flexibility these deals provide. I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that a strong argument can be made that it is time this government make its highest priority that baseline infrastructure needs for recreational facilities in communities be addressed. This means that, before other infrastructure projects get the go-ahead, all communities will have access to a gymnasium.

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This means that, before any community gets a new or second improved swimming pool, no matter how necessary that may seem, all communities of a certain size should have access to a swimming pool.

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Now that our capital infrastructure funding is looking rosier, we are in an excellent position to move ahead on priority areas that have taken a backseat for too long. It is time to ensure base recreational facilities…

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Mr. Menicoche, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member’s statement.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Menicoche.

Kevin A. Menicoche

Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and honourable colleagues. Now that our capital infrastructure funding is looking rosier, we are in an excellent position to move ahead on priority areas that have taken a backseat for too long. It is time to ensure base recreational facilities are available to all NWT residents, regardless of where they live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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