Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The material from the project is, certainly, being maintained by the department. We will, as we approach the construction point, review that data, and review it based on the college's plans, as well as the program activity. We would update that material and then use that to support the further design work that might take place. Thank you.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee Members. I am pleased to present the 2000-2001 Main Estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

MACA is responsible for providing community governments with the support they need to deliver important municipal services to community residents and manage local affairs. MACA's support to communities includes funding and programs designed to provide advice and build local capacity.

MACA is requesting a budget of $58 million for 2000-2001. Of this amount, $26 million will be transferred directly to communities through operating assistance grants and block funding agreements. This funding allows communities to provide municipal services, including services such as fire protection, sewage and garbage disposal, road maintenance and by-law enforcement. Additional funding distributed to community governments and municipal organizations through MACA's grant and contribution programs will bring the total amount transferred to communities this year to $41 million. This represents just over 70 percent of MACA's total budget.

These main estimates outline a reduction in the level of operating assistance provided to communities in 2000-2001. This is the result of the GNWT's decision to reduce its overall capital budget for this fiscal year by $10 million. MACA's portion of this reduction is $1.3 million.

This reduction means that the six tax-based municipalities will receive 4.73 percent less than they did in 1999-2000, representing a total reduction of $567,000. During the review of the interim appropriation, I agreed not to implement the reduction for tax-based communities until the review of the main estimates. The proposed reduction will have to be applied against the remaining payments this year. The department has advised the mayors and SAOs of these communities of the funding change and the revised cash flow for the balance of the year.

The reduction also applies to non-tax based communities, where it has been accommodated by cancelling or deferring specific projects in this year's capital plan.

These estimates reflect $731,000 in forced growth funding this year. These additional funds are passed on to communities through operational funding, grants in lieu of property taxes and senior citizens and disabled persons property tax rebates.

During 2000-2001, MACA will pursue activities designed to encourage increased community self-reliance and autonomy. Consistent with the vision this Assembly has outlined in Towards a Better Tomorrow, I believe it is important that communities play an active role in making decisions about their own economic, social and political future. To support this, MACA is focussing on community development and on providing advice and support instead of control.

The Building Communities Strategy is one important way MACA hopes to help communities achieve greater self-reliance. This strategy will help communities develop the skills and capacity they need to take on greater responsibility by focusing on eight key areas, including;

• • The School of Community Government;
• • Building self-reliant communities;
• • Preparing for self-government;
• • Wire North;
• • NWT volunteer strategy;
• • Recreation and sport;
• • Building partnerships; and
• • Fire fighter training.

These activities will result in improved training opportunities for communities and improved financial planning and management. Wire North will help communities take advantage of new technologies like the Internet, and fire fighter training will improve the skills of community fire fighters.

Developing proposals for updating our governance legislation and moving to streamlined formula-funding arrangements for community governments will also be important activities for MACA this year.

I am sure that Northerners would prefer to have decisions about municipal programs and services made locally. To achieve this, MACA is working to develop a funding approach that is easy to understand and supports community accountability and local responsibility. We plan to bring proposals forward as part of our 2001-2004 business plan.

I have also asked the department to move forward on preparing amendments to municipal legislation. Existing legislation is restrictive in places and does not allow communities the flexibility they need to manage their own affairs. Legislative changes will also enhance the accountability of community governments to their own residents. MACA has discussed possible changes with the communities for many years and it is now time to move forward on these.

A number of internal activities will support the department's implementation of the Building Communities strategy. One of these activities is the review and updating of our lands administration procedures. Over the past few months, the department has conducted a review of its lands administration operations. This review pointed out many areas that need to be changed or improved. A work-plan to address these concerns has been developed and will be implemented this year. These changes will help establish a better administration of Commissioner's Lands that are managed by MACA. I expect to bring forward new proposals for the direction of lands administration in next year's business plan.

Mr. Chairman, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is working to build strong and self-reliant communities across the Northwest Territories. The strategies and activities I have spoken about today will help us help communities develop the skills and capacity they need to take on expanded responsibilities in the future.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity to present MACA's proposed main estimates. This concludes my opening remarks. Mahsi Cho.