Marci Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on my Member's statement today I talked about Community Access Road Program for DOT. I'd like to ask that Minister questions on that. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he's had discussions with his department about increasing the community access road program? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Transportation.
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I have had a number of discussions with the department on the Community Access Road Program, mostly around funding applications and where certain applications are at, but I have never had the discussion about increasing funding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member statement, there are more applications than there is budget in the program. Although there has been discussion but none on increases as the Minister indicated, has the Minister had any sort of discussions with his colleagues at Cabinet and specifically the Minister of Finance to increase this budget for the community access road program?
No, I have not had this discussion with my Cabinet colleagues or the Finance Minister. The discussions we have had are how do we live within the fiscal means that we have based on revenues that we have and expenditures. That is the only discussions I have had around money.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is obvious from this answer, but I will ask the Minister anyway, if the Minister recognizes the positive impacts of community-based spending in the NWT for the entire NWT?
Of course we recognize the positive impacts that this money has in the communities. This fund actually increases seasonal employment in many communities in the Northwest Territories as well as helps with project management and helps these communities look at some of these projects moving forward. We do recognize the positive impacts they have and that is some of the reasons why we are going through our fiscal policies we are promoting for this next fiscal budget so we can have money to invest in some of these small community initiatives.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
The Minister hasn't had discussions with colleague Members or the department. However, I would like to ask the Minister if he can commit to taking a serious look at increasing community access road program through forced growth if necessary or a new initiative or any other method that the Minister may have in his repertoire?
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can commit to having a look at how we can increase this, but as I said, looking at our fiscal situation that we are in, in light of the next budget cycle year, we can have a look at how we do it. It doesn't meet the definition of forced growth, so I can't use that to increase it. But it would take all 19 Members of the Assembly to help straighten out our fiscal situation where we can, like I say, put money into small communities in this type of initiative.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
