Mr. Speaker, when the Special Joint Committee on Non-Taxed-Based Community Affairs travelled to communities, we heard that many of the small community governments are not sure what capital functions they are expected to perform. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, many communities do not feel they have the support to be able to deal with their capital plan properly. Mr. Speaker, small communities cannot afford to have engineers on staff to help them, nor can GNWT engineers assist each community government with capital planning budgeting processes. Many community governments do not have up-to-date information about the existing municipal facilities. Many do not have a maintenance management system in place. With turnover in the administration of municipal governments, communities need better ways to keep track of their information about the condition and repairs done to facilities. This information would help in identifying needs and priorities when the time comes for any input into the capital planning process, Mr. Speaker. The skills that are needed to plan and manage infrastructure projects are specialized. Small communities do not have the money to employ engineers and planners on a full-time basis. How, then, Mr. Speaker, is a small community expected to participate in a consultation in a meaningful way, Mr. Speaker? This government needs to provide better support to small community governments to do their capital planning and project management. Small communities need this government to assist with provision of engineering support and maintenance management systems. I will be following up with questions to the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause