Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I rise today to express my concerns about the Canada/Northwest Territories infrastructure agreement that was signed on August 24th of this year by the Minister of Finance.
It is a good agreement because it puts additional money into communities for the development of their infrastructure. Although, Madam Speaker, I am somewhat disappointed about there being a cap on the amount of money available to smaller communities, particularly when these are usually communities that need the most help in developing their infrastructure. I understand that these restrictions were a precondition of the federal, not the territorial government. I applaud the efforts of the Minister in attempting to have this money distributed in a fair and equitable manner. I believe the negotiations were done with the best intentions under the restrictions placed on the access to the money by the federal government.
Madam Speaker, I am also concerned that some bands and Metis locals will not be able to benefit from this agreement because they do not have the funds to match the contribution from the federal and territorial governments.
I strongly urge this government to give as much leeway as possible to band councils and Metis locals, particularly those that have not signed a final land claims agreement, therefore do not have the accessible cash. This money should be distributed as fairly as possible, and among concerned stakeholders in each community.
Madam Speaker, my understanding of this agreement is that it is designed to improve the infrastructure in each community and to provide opportunities for training and employment for northerners. The agreement is being administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and I strongly urge each of the communities, the band councils and other aboriginal organizations to take advantage of this program to improve the quality of life in their home communities.
Madam Speaker, I will be monitoring progress of this agreement and will probably be asking questions in the future, perhaps even this afternoon. Mahsi cho.