In the Legislative Assembly on October 13th, 1994. See this topic in context.

Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Madam Speaker, this is the fifth Minister to which I will be addressing this matter since the beginning of our term. This is with regard to the small settlements operations assistance program, financial operations for small communities. I have a number in my constituency which are not incorporated. They are organized under band council community government systems, and they are not viewed by this government to be funded, according to other groups in the north and other communities. We are dealing with fairness and equity here. People in small communities have been at a disadvantage since the beginning of this government, and it's not appropriate.

Last year, I heard that this department was going to do something about assisting the small communities through a small settlement operations assistance program, and I thought that was going along fairly well until this sudden reorganization happened in this department. I would like to ask the Minister if anything is going to be done in terms of a program such as the SOAP to help these small communities? Thank you.

Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

Return To Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Member is quite correct in saying that he's been raising this concern for quite some time. During the Standing Committee on Finance review, we also discussed the question the Member is asking about. The department has not developed a specific plan to address this priority area, but this does not mean that actions have not been taken. The Member, through the Standing Committee on Finance, would provide a plan of action by the end of October, and there are a number of things, training initiatives and workshops, which are available for these smaller communities. We did make a commitment that we would do something to address some of the inequities that Mr. Antoine is talking about.

Return To Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 12th, 1994

Page 254

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In my preamble, to the Members of the Cabinet and the Financial Management Board who will make the decision on supporting small communities -- and I don't know why they haven't been doing that -- I just want to re-emphasize the point that they have to support communities like this. I would just like to ask the Minister, if a program such as the SOAP has been developed, is it possible to obtain some of the documentation on what type of support these communities will have?

Supplementary To Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Ms. Mike.

Further Return To Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

Rebecca Mike Baffin Central

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In my earlier response, the plan of action that will be ready by the end of October will address those kinds of areas. Madam Speaker, I do understand Mr. Antoine's question and concern, and it is important in my eyes that these smaller communities should be provided the level of resources and training that they require. I can assure the Member that the plan of action which I hope will be ready by the end of October will include all that. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Question 129-12(6): Program And Financial Assistance To Small Communities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 254

The Speaker Jeannie Marie-Jewell

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Patterson.