Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to bring forward a concern that has had an impact on my home community of Rae-Edzo for a number of years. I realize that this government and previous governments have tried to make the Municipal Funding Formula as equitable as possible. However, due to the unique situation in Rae-Edzo being one of the largest non-tax-based communities and the fact that over the years Rae-Edzo has concentrated on developing a private economic base instead of relying on this government to provide capital infrastructure, we have been short changed when dealing with the current formula. This formula deals with how much funding each non-tax based community receives to perform their day-to-day operations. However, when the officials try to use this to determine the funding of Rae-Edzo, it falls short due to the size of the community in the lack of public infrastructure. One of many areas that this formula does not address is the issue of protective services. There is not enough dollars to provide for by-law enforcement. I believe this is not just an issue from Rae-Edzo, but territorial wide one.
There are many concerns that I know the honourable Minister of MACA is addressing through the municipal funding review that is currently taking place. I hope this review will show that there are still inadequacies which have become apparent over the past number of years since the last change in the funding formula and will also come up with the equitable solutions for all communities across this vast land. I would also like to inform the Minister that later today I will be asking her some questions regarding this important issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.