Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Finance, with regard to the Municipal and Community Affairs, is generally impressed with the progress of the department. The overall impression is one of competence and ability, and we look forward to seeing the department continue to meet the needs of the Northwest Territories' municipalities as well as it has.
While we recognize that the Minister of this department is new to Cabinet, we encourage him to manage proactively and to take a lead role in guiding the department's actions.
Property Taxation
Mr. Chairman, there are number of issues related to property taxation that the department should consider. These issues -- payment of property taxes by status native people, low taxation rates in the general taxation area and incentives to home ownership -- are addressed in recommendation 18 which is recorded under the Department of Finance. The committee recommends that this department work with the departments of Education and Finance in developing a plan to resolve outstanding issues in this area.
The Iqaluit Situation
Mr. Chairman, the committee is concerned about the events leading up to the dissolution of the Iqaluit municipal council. That dissolution, and the appointment of an outside administrator, took Members by surprise. While we appreciate the Cabinet felt it had valid reasons for taking the action it did, we believe that such surprises are to be avoided. There should be clear policies and processes in place that would allow municipalities and other concerned parties to know what to expect.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, the committee made the following recommendation.
Recommendation 26
The committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs review its policies, processes and legislation regarding dissolution of municipal councils and amend them as necessary to establish a clear and understandable process. Further, that the department respond to the committee with the amendments by August 1, 1994.
Community Development
Mr. Chairman, the committee noted that department has, over the last few years, been allocating capital resources to communities that were in need of basic municipal infrastructure. While these efforts are commendable, they do not fully address the overall needs of these small developing communities. These communities need support to strengthen themselves. They require assistance in the administration of the municipality and the infrastructure which is being developed.
Therefore, the standing committee made the following recommendation.
Recommendation 27
The committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs identify community development in smaller communities as a priority and develop a plan which spells out how the department will address this priority. This plan should be available to the committee prior to its review of the 1995-96 capital estimates.
Training
Mr. Chairman, in last year's Standing Committee on Finance report, the committee recommended that the department "improve its community development activities, (and) develop a more relevant management training program for municipal councils and staff". The department has responded with descriptions of the programs they are developing. However, Mr. Chairman, the committee would like to see more details about the training programs. Committee Members also suggest that the department seriously consider ensuring that the resources available through Arctic College are being used appropriately, rather than relying too much on southern institutions.
Sport And Recreation
The members of the committee expressed support and appreciation for the efforts the department makes in organizing athletes for the biennial Arctic Winter Games. Athletic competition is an important way for the youth of the north to strengthen themselves and learn about others, and the games and other competitions should continue to be encouraged and supported.
During the committee's review, Mr. Chairman, it was noted that some small communities anticipated having difficulty hosting regional trials, territorial trials, aboriginal games or the Arctic Winter Games themselves. We suggest that the department encourage smaller communities to group together and bid for aboriginal games and Arctic Winter Games, where feasible, and that the department also encourage smaller communities to bid for regional and territorial trials. As well, committee Members urge the department to consider providing more substantial financial support for host communities when the games are held in the Northwest Territories.
The committee is aware that the department has supported participation in the indigenous games on a case-by-case basis. Members would like to see a process developed, similar to that used for the Arctic Winter Games, to ensure equal opportunities are available for participation in the indigenous games.
Fire Prevention And Education
Mr. Chairman, committee Members identified fire prevention and education as an area in which this department could cooperate with the office of the fire marshal in the Department of Safety and Public Services. The committee will recommend that this department assist Safety and Public Services in examining the feasibility of creating positions for community fire chiefs to lead communities in this important area.
Mr. Chairman, that basically concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Finance pertaining to Municipal and Community Affairs. Before we do that, I would like to move a couple of motions, particularly, motion 26 and 27.