Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to be able to say that after two long years of living through a global pandemic, we are close to moving to an endemic stage. April 1st marks the end of a twoyear long public health emergency.
As we emerge into the endemic phase of COVID19, we are picking up the pieces, trying to figure out what moving forward looks like individually and collectively.
We all appreciate and acknowledge the importance of cultural, sport, and recreation events as gatherings begin again. Some are already planning big events while others aren't yet comfortable. And that's okay. The shift to endemic is going to be a unique transition for each of us.
But gathering once played a huge role in our territory both for our quality of life and the economic stability of our communities. Gathering restrictions meant lost revenue sources for municipalities and as a result they are emerging with empty pockets yet expected to play a vital role again in our quality of life.
Further to lost revenue, Mr. Speaker, many communities incurred significant unforeseen costs to respond COVID19 safety and community outbreaks. Costs, we can all agree, are not found in the municipal funding formula.
The federal government's CanNor's Canada Community Revitalization Fund recently announced $3.1 million over two years to nine different NWT communities. These funds are to make public spaces more accessible and attractive as the territory opens up after the pandemic.
While these funds are much needed across the territory, 24 communities did not receive funds from this federal funding pot; notably are most remote communities in the Mackenzie and Beaufort Deltas. In addition, these funds do not kickstart the ability of municipalities to provide community activities.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize the government is still managing the costs of COVID19 and there will be many more costs to incur as we continue throughout the endemic. But for communities who were issued public health orders by the GNWT and implemented those orders from their own internal resources is a cost those communities cannot incur in the face of an existing municipal funding gap. We are all coming out of this pandemic on uneven ground but our communities that provide central social gatherings and programs for children, youth, adults and elders need the supports in place to help their communities emerge healthy and with hope. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Members' statements. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
