Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to update Members on the success of the community initiatives program.
The community initiatives program, which was established in spring 2003, exists to support non-tax-based communities to develop programs that address community priorities in the areas of families and youth, healthy lifestyles and safety education. The program was established to respond to the recommendations of the Special Joint Committee on Non-Tax-Based Community Affairs during the 14th Legislative Assembly.
The program makes funding available to communities to develop recreation programs and facilities, establish youth centres, or increase access to these programs for special needs groups such as seniors or people with disabilities. It encourages communities to build partnerships by giving higher priority to projects that lever funding from other sources.
Mr. Speaker, community proposals are rated in accordance with criteria set out in the contribution policy. Priority is given to projects which promote active living, which establish a new program in the community and which include matching funding from community governments in other sources. Proposals are reviewed to ensure they have a good chance of success. Communities can use this funding for new initiatives or to top up funding from other sources. In-kind services are considered as part of a community's contribution to a project.
There are some limitations on this funding. The total contribution to any community cannot exceed $100,000 in a fiscal year, and no project can receive more than $200,000 in total funding. Only one project will be funded in a community per year.
Mr. Speaker, my department officials work closely with communities to monitor the progress of each funded project. If a community is unable to spend its funding, or it there is funding uncommitted by October of each fiscal year, the budget is reassigned to another community or region to ensure that program funds are maximized.
For the new fiscal year, communities have also been advised that priority will be given to projects that were begun but not completed in 2003-2004, and to projects that were approved in 2003-04 but not started due to circumstances beyond community control, such as missing barge shipments.
I am pleased to report that under this program, 22 communities received funding in 2003-04 for a wide range of projects. Projects such as the Hay River Reserve's walking trails, Wrigley's outdoor skating rink and multipurpose court and Fort Good Hope's campsite development for their summer day program have become a reality as a result of the community initiatives program. Other communities have built baseball diamonds, playgrounds and golf courses. Some have improved above ground pool programs and others have begun developing youth centres. Some of these projects are multi-year projects, which will continue in the new fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, the community initiatives program have allowed Municipal and Community Affairs to support our
smaller communities in order to address their priorities in the areas of physical activity and healthy living. I believe that these types of projects will support residents of all ages to improve their personal health and the well being of our communities. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause