Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is now six months away from implementation for the New Deal for the Northwest Territories community

governments. A key priority including this government’s strategic plan, this comprehensive initiative which builds on past efforts to empower communities will provide community governments with the authority and resources to plan, design and build community public infrastructure.

With ongoing input from community governments, the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the Northwest Territories, Municipal and Community Affairs is working to prepare community governments for the additional responsibilities that are part of the New Deal. Building capacity in all areas of local government leadership and administration is an ongoing priority that will enable community governments to effectively take advantage of the New Deal.

At this time, the department is spearheading a number of initiatives that will support community governments.

The department has completed a baseline assessment of community public infrastructure to communities, so they know the current state of their infrastructure and they can develop a capital investment plan accordingly.

Pilot projects have been established to provide five interested community governments with funds to design, manage and construct community infrastructure. The department will partner with them to assist and document best practices. Already these pilot projects are demonstrating that community governments are able to take on these responsibilities and develop infrastructure that respects local priorities, territorial goals and national standards.

Municipal and Community Affairs will work to develop individual transition plans with every community that is taking on new authorities, including developing specific capital investment plans, so that they are ready to proceed in April 2007 with support from MACA as requested and needed.

The School of Community Government is developing new training modules for new community responsibilities including project management, capital planning and building operations. Finally, Municipal and Community Affairs staff are being oriented so that they are ready to assist and support community governments through this transition to new responsibilities.

I am pleased to inform Members that in late November, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, in partnership with the Northwest Territories Association of Communities and the Arctic Energy Alliance will be hosting a sustainable planning conference which will focus on integrated community sustainable planning and energy strategies for all community governments for the Northwest Territories. Funding for this conference will be provided through the Gas Tax Funding Agreement with the federal government, since developing capital plans and community energy plans is a requirement of this agreement. Subsequently, in April 2007, the department is planning a follow-up conference that will focus on the implementation of the New Deal, including workshops on tools, approaches and best practices that the community could utilize to realize their priorities, especially those related to community infrastructure. These two conferences provide a forum for community leaders and staff to strategize, plan and prepare for new opportunities.

Community governments are evolving and taking on a broader range of responsibilities. Community governments know that allocating their resources in accordance with sound vision and good planning will result in sustainable, capable communities that are able to meet the needs and aspirations of the residents. Through conferences, planning tools and capacity building, Municipal and Community Affairs is working to support them in doing so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.

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