Mr. Speaker, communities in the NWT have been chronically underfunded for years. Every community in the Northwest Territories has been challenged to manage basic services like water, infrastructure, waste management, and community development while also providing critical services like emergency response, community recreation and sport and cultural activities.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT made a mandate commitment to reduce the funding gap by $5 million, and I acknowledge that the GNWT is on track to achieve this. However, Mr. Speaker $5 million does not go far enough. A 2019 report identified that Northwest Territories' community governments face a $40 million shortfall in funding needs. The additional $5 million in funding does not even make a dent in this shortfall. And as we all know, Mr. Speaker, the costs and expenses to run communities has only risen since 2019 following the pandemic. The price of fuel, transportation, power, food, materials, and supply chain costs have all gone up. Throw in aging, deteriorating infrastructure, and the increased carbon tax, and communities are stretched very thin trying to provide even basic services. Additionally, many communities face the challenge of preparing and responding to unprecedented climate change, including flooding. NWT communities are then further challenged to respond to homelessness, addictions, and lack of hope among youth and residents.
Increased funding directly to communities will build local economy and autonomy. Increased support direct to communities allows communities to focus on critical social, sport and recreation programs, and services for our children and youth, as well as pay a living wage to their workers. Why is the Minister of MACA not advocating for increased funding for NWT communities?
Communities have been forced to absorb bigger bills and respond to unprecedented issues yet the GNWT is not meeting communities where they need to be met. I hear from many communities that local jobs are being reduced, and programs and services minimized because communities must make cuts. Communities are the most efficient frontline responders to address the needs of NWT residents so why are we not empowering them to do so?
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
