Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you to the Member for the question. I think this touches on the real issue around many of the public safety concerns we have in communities, that there are root causes that are creating many of the challenges we face and in this case, not having -- having any adequate facilities to provide activities and engagement for youth often allows them to be led astray. And this is something that we can -- that the Member clearly pointed out and that I think I believe we've heard around the Northwest Territories. So I think it is time to carefully look at what funding sources are available for all arts and culture programs in the Northwest Territories, can we contribute to local infrastructure that's going to make a difference as well, and leverage this strength of self-governments and regional governments as well to work with them to build these facilities. I'm committed to closing the municipal funding gap. That's going to provide more resources for operations and maintenance to municipalities that would allow them to maintain those kinds of facilities that the Member was asking for. And I think that's the key piece here. Even if we put a new school in or a new rec centre, there needs to be funding attached so it stays open and stays in good repair. So we need to look at all those things. And I think the best way to do that, again, is a regional approach where we listen to what the communities want, we empower communities by giving them the resources they need, and we kind of get out of the way, and we let the GNWT provide support where they need support, like in engineering plans and things like that. But listen to the needs of the community and be there for them when they need our help to ensure that they have success, that they are empowered, and that especially the next generation of Northerners are given access to the facilities that they need to stay healthy and safe in their own communities and embrace the culture that's so important to First Peoples in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
Kieron Testart on Questions by Members
On December 7th, 2023. See this statement in context.
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