Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Special Joint Committee on Non Tax Based Community Affairs started its work in April 2002. We are interested in the well being of 27 smaller communities in the Northwest Territories. Our purpose is to identify the actions that the GNWT can take to improve the quality of life in these communities. We held community consultation workshops for three different groups of communities, the eleven smallest communities, the nine mid-sized communities and the seven largest hamlets and charter communities. We initiated several research projects to increase our understanding about needs in these communities.

The 27 communities differ from the regional centres and Yellowknife in more than just population, Mr. Speaker. These 27 communities have a larger percentage of aboriginal residents. More of their residents participate in hunting and fishing activities and speak their aboriginal language. However, Mr. Speaker, the residents in these communities have lower levels of educational achievement and have higher unemployment rates. Although these 27 communities are growing more slowly than the tax-based communities, they have higher crime rates. The GNWT programs and services that are delivered in these communities seem to be delivered at lower standards. The GNWT facilities are getting older and the new corporate capital planning process does not seem to be able to accommodate the needs of these communities, Mr. Speaker.

The committee members have proposed changes to the GNWT's corporate capital planning process. Few people understand how the GNWT plans for its new facilities or how it makes project funding decisions. Many people think that the GNWT is not keeping up with the capital funding needs of the smaller communities because it is building new large facilities in the regional centres, such as the correctional centre in Yellowknife and the hospital in Inuvik.

The committee members also heard from many community representatives about the importance of prevention and development programs in their communities. We also were told that the funding arrangements for these programs do not support a comprehensive or sustained community effort. The committee has proposed a new approach for these programs. We have also asked the GNWT to organize its service standards more clearly and to increase access to housing in these communities. The GNWT should also increase its support for the community constable program.

To conclude our report, we identified some changes that could be made to the GNWT organization in order to provide better support to the small communities.

We have made this report now in order to seek feedback from community representatives and the government. All the members of the committee believe that our work has been worthwhile. We have truly appreciated the constructive input of many community representatives and hope that together we have made a contribution to the well-being of the smaller communities in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the executive summary of the report of the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs and in accordance with Rule 93(5) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly, the Special Joint Committee hereby requests that the Executive Council table a comprehensive response to this report in the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Committee Report 1-14(6) be received by the Legislative Assembly. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.