(Translation) Mr. Speaker, today I would like to share with Members information on how the community empowerment initiative is progressing. First Mr. Speaker, I want to assure Members that community empowerment continues to focus on community development.

Most importantly, community empowerment involves the participation of community councils, aboriginal organizations, local boards and agencies, government departments, community residents, and organizations, all working together towards a common community vision and goals. By working cooperatively, community organizations can build a strong foundation for their community. They can build community consensus and make decisions together on priorities for their community. Our job in government is to work with communities and support them to empower themselves. (Translation ends) As a result, communities will be more self-reliant and independent. They will have control and will be empowered to make their own decisions. That, Mr. Speaker, is the objective of community empowerment.

The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has been working closely with communities and other government departments, by providing tools, training and support so that community governments have what they need to grow, develop and empower themselves. We are helping communities develop community plans, assess local capacity and identify any training that is required. We are helping communities link their assessment results to community-based plans, training and development.

(Translation) Last November, I distributed to all MLAs a summary report on the many empowerment activities that are underway in each of the communities. I would like to share with you a few examples of the successes communities have achieved so far:

-Thirty-two communities have developed community plans. This includes a clear vision of how they would like their community to be in the future and goals and strategies to guide their development from where they are now to where they would like to be.

-Twenty-two more communities are considering starting a community-based planning process.

-Twenty-six communities are completing human resource assessments. These detailed assessments help communities identify the skills they need in order to take on more responsibility, and also identify the type of training that is available and how to access it.

-Thirty communities have participated in senior administrative officer training. This training is provided by MACA through a partnership with the NWT Association of Municipal Administrators and provides SAOs with training that is needed so that they can handle more administrative responsibilities as their communities develop.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the first visioning exercise that was directed by myself and the mayor of Arviat for the Keewatin region was recently completed in Arviat, with over 400 community residents participating. This, Mr. Speaker, is an excellent example of how working cooperatively can produce results in the communities. The hamlet of Arviat now has a vision to the year 2002 and can begin building the foundation for their community. I would like to congratulate the community of Arviat on this excellent achievement.. (Translation ends) In the west, several communities have completed similar exercises. What is so exciting about this work is that it brings the community together - not just the elected officials, boards and agencies but also the elders, the youth and the grassroots people.

Mr. Speaker, there is tremendous positive human potential in all of our communities. Our job is to help communities tap into their own potential and support their growth and development.

Mr. Speaker, the community empowerment initiative complements the creation of both new territories. It builds a solid foundation for stronger, healthier communities, while respecting and actively supporting aboriginal values of working together to achieve consensus, sharing of resources, self-sufficiency, independence and greater community control and decision making.

We need strong community governments in order to have a strong territory. The strength of community governments will be essential for a successful Nunavut government. In the Western Territory, community empowerment focuses on developing capacity, creating vision and building strength by bringing all groups together at the local level, which will help prepare community residents to take on more responsibility including negotiated self-government agreements.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Members for their support for the community empowerment initiative. We need to keep working together so that the communities we represent can continue to grow and develop and achieve their potential. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause