Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Municipal funding gap. Mr. Speaker, on May 29th of this year, the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight tabled a report in this House that noted the municipal funding gap under the current formula would not work without substantial investment. Members discussed a funding formula that equalizes the gap for communities across the Northwest Territories. The government responded on June 13th, noting that MACA recently updated its community government funding policies to, one, provide a more equitable distribution of funding by basing allocations on a needs-based formula. The new funding policies came into effect in 2024-2025. Allocation will not be implemented until 2025-2026 to allow time to engage with community governments.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to know how the government plans to engage community governments. These changes will not only affect Tlicho region but other small communities as well. The change will have the greatest impact on small communities with population under 500 people. Mr. Speaker, I fear this formula change will negatively affect our Indigenous communities. We have been told that allocations will be implemented over a three-year transition period.
The Minister has noted that funding sustainable community government services is a shared responsibility across all levels of government. But, Mr. Speaker, what have the community government told MACA about the implementation of these new formula funding policies? How have the community government been engaged in decision-making? Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for MACA at appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Great Slave.
