Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank Vital for recognizing that there is a bigger power than the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, the government's Agenda for Change names the community empowerment initiative as one of its priorities. This initiative is a turning point in the history of the Northwest Territories. Never before, have we had the opportunity to make such a difference in programs and services to people.
Mr. Speaker, I know that Members of this Assembly are interested in the opportunities which will become available for communities across the NWT, once we get community empowerment up and running; and, I know that community leaders and members of the general public have expressed an interest, as well, in finding out more about community empowerment.
I would like to follow up on the recent statistics made in this Assembly on community empowerment, by the Premier and the Minister of Finance, and provide Members with an update regarding this important initiative.
Communities used to look after their own affairs but, as programs and services became more complex, government made more and more decisions for the people. Communities have told us they want to take their rightful place; to make decisions for themselves. From the strengths of their past, they can truly build their futures.
Mr. Speaker, as there are no new resources to add to the government's budget, community empowerment, like all the government's priorities in the Agenda for Change, will use existing program resources.
Communities, however, will have the flexibility, through community empowerment, to direct money and other resources where they can do most good. We are trying to preserve as many dollars as possible but, when tough decisions have to be made, communities should make those decisions in partnership with the government.
Mr. Speaker, communities must expect more accountability and responsibility for community-based programs, services and infrastructure; but, all this cannot happen in every community overnight. We need to take the time to work with communities and jointly plan for success.
Mr. Speaker, community empowerment involves all GNWT departments. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been designated as the department to facilitate and coordinate the initiative between communities and all government departments, in all regions of the NWT. By the fall of this year, we will have in place a community empowerment action plan for communities to begin taking on greater responsibilities and authority over community infrastructure and the programs and services delivered locally. The action plan will outline two key areas of empowerment: the GNWT programs and services available for communities to assume control of; and, a community development approach which will ensure support to communities to identify and work on their own needs and priorities.
Using locally-based planning initiatives, the community development approach will assist communities to identify those areas where they need to develop expertise, skills and capacities to carry out a wide range and mandate of program delivery. A community development team in every region will support communities to undertake assessments and to determine their needs based on local strengths and conditions.
Mr. Speaker, some communities, however, are at a stage now and are ready to take on additional responsibility and authority. Communities like Fort Liard and Aklavik are already looking to take steps to develop new opportunities and approaches through community empowerment. Other communities, like Pangnirtung and Baker Lake, are looking at the transfer of government positions and functions. We have to work in partnership with these and all communities to make sure they can be successful. Through community development, we will support communities as they identify their priorities, the resources they already have, and the resources that are available from government.
This government will make sure communities receive the training and support they require to manage their affairs.
Mr. Speaker, community empowerment is about creating opportunities for communities to take control of community based programs. Communities will have an opportunity to manage their own buildings and lands. They will have an opportunity to manage social assistance to make it work for their residents. Community empowerment means that communities can develop and manage their own community wellness programs.
Mr. Speaker, some communities, like Holman, Cape Dorset and Fort Good Hope, have already started to manage social assistance. Others have started training community people to deal with wellness issues. We need to celebrate these successes, and to encourage all communities to share in this empowered future.
A key part of community empowerment is information and monitoring. Some small communities may wish to work together, to pool their resources to make the best use of the dollars and people they have. We must support them in this. Other communities will face social challenges which may seem impossible. We must support them to meet these situations and conditions. The government is committed to partnership with the communities and people of the Northwest Territories. As part of the community development approach, government will disclose fully all resources now dedicated to local programs and services. In addition, all information which will assist communities to identify their needs and priorities will be shared. These planning tools are being developed now and will be available to communities in the fall. MACA will be working with communities to support and coordinate regional leadership meetings and to provide the information communities will need to plan for empowerment.
Another key part of community empowerment is legislation to give communities accountability and responsibility for local programs and services. This government will develop legislation to support community empowerment. As well, changes to income support regulations to enable communities to take on income support programs are due this summer.
The new Education Act will come into force this summer and it will enable communities to assume greater control over local education programs. In the area of legislation, the government is prepared to move quickly to provide communities the room they need to manage their own affairs.
Mr. Speaker, though we are in the early stages and days of planning for community empowerment, I will be writing very soon to every community leader in the NWT to outline the opportunities available to them under community empowerment. I look forward to our future. This government is committed to working with communities to make their own decisions, set their own priorities and answer to their own residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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