Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on November 3rd I requested in this House an allocation under the Canada/NWT infrastructure program for the unorganized communities of Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment committed to addressing the issue.
On November 7th, I received a letter from the Honourable Richard Nerysoo advising me that Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet are not recognized communities by our government. They are considered outpost camps by Municipal and Community Affairs.
The letter further advised that under the Canada/NWT infrastructure agreement, one of the requirements is that a community be recognized by the government in order to participate in the program. Secondly, that communities demonstrate an ability to fund ongoing O and M costs of projects funded under the program. The bottom line is the GNWT deems these communities as ineligible.
The Honourable Richard Nerysoo offered to provide $5,000 per community out of his department's capital budget. However, given the high operating costs and accessibility costs in these communities, I would suggest that if $5,000 were accessed, it would do little to add or improve any infrastructure in these communities.
Madam Speaker, I have spoken previously to the lack of attention to the needs of the two smaller unorganized communities in my constituency. Although the Honourable Don Morin, Minister of the Housing Corporation, has committed, in this House, to addressing the housing needs of the two communities, the rest of our government, besides maintaining the status quo, has not attempted to address any of their additional needs.
The issue of an allocation, under the Canada/NWT infrastructure agreement, I have raised and the lack of initiative of the government to attempt to address the issue to make these communities eligible is clearly indicative of what I believe is our government's indifference to the residents in our smaller communities.
Madam Speaker, it is obvious to me how I would attempt to address the eligibility requirement. Firstly, why not ask the federal government for clarification or an exception to these two unorganized smaller communities? Failing that, what about allocating resources to the base community of Cambridge Bay to be utilized by Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet residents?
It is my understanding that there is a continency amount allocated in the total funding for the infrastructure agreement. What is the purpose of this reserve if not to address situations such as this?
Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.