Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak about capital dollars for Lutselk’e. We are coming to the end of another fiscal year and the community of Lutselk’e is once again in danger of losing out on accessing capital funding for another year; much needed funding for infrastructure and long-overdue municipal projects.
The community has a capital plan. They have identified the projects that are a priority. Unfortunately, because of inflexible policies within the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the process of getting much needed capital money, the community is stuck in a morass.
Currently the community has a plan that is within the acceptable amounts congruent to what a settlement council would receive. Although the community wishes to negotiate hamlet status level, they will accept the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs delivering capital directly at a settlement council status level for the interim. The department must initiate discussions with the community of Lutselk’e now, specifically the Lutselk’e Dene First Nations, to complete the transfer of assets and capital dollars as soon as possible.
Some of the projects the community is looking to get started right away are building a new youth recreation centre, a new fire hall, gravel production, stockpiling, heavy equipment such as a water and sewer truck, a loader, backhoe, dump truck, and dust control. A water truck is an essential piece of equipment for Lutselk’e. If their current water truck breaks down, they will not be able to deliver water to the homes or businesses within the community.
With the barge season almost upon us we need to take advantage at this time and confirm plans for this summer’s construction season and get all the necessary equipment, supplies and materials in on this summer’s barge. I will have questions for the Minister of MACA on this later.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
