Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, today I'm going to be talking about water, and it's to the Minister of MACA. So Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for MACA keeps talking about the community having to choose. Mr. Speaker, the community never had a choice when these water pipes were put in place back in 1970s. The territorial government was only three years old when these pipes were installed. Mr. Speaker, at that time, the community consultation process did not exist. The community did not have a choice in 1970, and now you are asking them to pay the bill. It was the GNWT's decision 50 years ago to put in underground water pipe. Now it is your job to fix it.
Mr. Speaker, this piece of infrastructure was nearly 40 years old when MACA decided to share gas tax with the community. The GNWT should have established a fund to replace the infrastructure at that time that it was built.
Mr. Speaker, it is very unfair of the government to provide an extra million dollars in funding and tell the community to pay for a $10 million infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I am currently doing research, and I believe the GNWT is underfunding 23 of 33 communities in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, this is an emergency situation. There are 200 people that rely on that water pipe. Also several pieces of GNWT infrastructures, like Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary School, Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home, Mary Adele Bishop Health Centre, and government offices that consist of staff from MACA, income support, justice, renewable resources, social services, medical travel, mental help, and TCSA finance and admin.
GNWT assets are all on water pipe system. As we speak, Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary School is closed due to water pipe frozen.
Mr. Speaker, as reported, education outcome in Tlicho region is poor. Disruption with water is not helping. Mr. Speaker, all of these department had to shut down their office due to water problems. Both schools Mr. Speaker, can I have a unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
Okay. Mr. Speaker, all of these department have to shut down their offices due to water problems. Both school have frozen pipes several times in the winters. In January, senior home had to bring in water to manual flush toilets with bucket. All government services and offices were shut down for two weeks after Christmas due to water problems. By not helping the community resolve this problem, I feel GNWT is making a decision that will impact essential community services.
Mr. Speaker, water is a human right, and it is important to people's health and wellness. Even the Minister said it himself in an email when he said ensuring residents have safe drinking water is a priority for all levels of government.
Mr. Speaker, this is an emergency situation. The GNWT has to respond. The federal government gives the GNWT $2 billion a year to look after the people of the Northwest Territories. I cannot believe the government cannot find a few million dollars to help provide clean water to citizens of Behchoko and Edzo, and it is in its own essential services, like health and education.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for MACA at appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
