Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report today that 43 communities have expressed an interest in the community transfer initiative. General workshops on the subject have been conducted in 24 communities. Almost $430,000 has been contributed to help communities become involved in the initiative since last fiscal year.
Transfers of varying levels of authority have been completed in seven communities: Coppermine, Gjoa Haven, Fort Providence, Fort Norman, Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Fort Good Hope. Eight others are in the planning stages: Cape Dorset, Fort Liard, Inuvik, Whale Cove, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Tuktoyaktuk, Holman and Arctic Red River, and I anticipate that transfer agreements will be in place in these communities in the near future. In general, communities are choosing to proceed very prudently. For this reason, the numbers of completed transfers may not seem very high, but I hasten to say that the transfer initiative is also a bold and new step for both this government and communities, so working out the details is taking time.
Within government, the community transfer working group is continuing to work with departmental, regional and community staff at every opportunity. Departments and regional offices have appointed lead contacts and organized themselves to participate in the initiative with the coordination of the community transfer working group.
Headquarters and regional offices continue to compile information regarding GNWT program and service delivery for each community. This information is used by communities in deciding whether or not they wish to take on the responsibility for design and delivery of specific program areas.
As more communities proceed toward transfer agreements, utilizing their own approaches, the parameters of the initiative and the manner in which it will address the many issues involved is becoming more clear. Because the community transfer initiative is community-driven, each transfer is somewhat unique and raises different issues which must be resolved. We have begun discussions with the Union of Northern Workers in order to ensure that labour matters are dealt with as smoothly and cooperatively as possible. We have also begun research into options for the provision of employee benefits such as pension plans so that employees have positive options to consider.
Two communities, Cape Dorset and Inuvik, are considering major transfers of responsibility. Cape Dorset is requesting the transfer of Social Services, Economic Development and Tourism, Housing and Public Works and Services. Inuvik is requesting aspects of Social Services, Economic Development and Tourism, Public Works and Services and lottery licensing. Both of these transfers, when complete, will have major impacts on the way these communities do business locally and with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
I'm also pleased to report, as I said last Friday in question period, that in Inuvik the transfers are being coordinated by a working group which represents the town, the Dene Band, the Gwich'in Band, and the Inuvialuit Community Corporation. Arrangements such as this in Inuvik, and similar ones in other communities, indicate another of the positive benefits of the community transfer initiative.
It is safe to say that the community transfer initiative has capture the interest of communities and more exciting times lie ahead for the Northwest Territories. Thank you.
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