Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi, colleagues.

WHEREAS the recent spending cuts by the federal government have directly impacted the Northwest

Territories through the loss of approximately $500,000 for literacy programs, $279,000 from the First Nations and Inuit Tobacco Control Strategy and $161,000 to volunteer programs;

AND WHEREAS the recent federal spending cuts to the Visitor GST Rebate Program, Court Challenges Program, Status of Women Canada, and Museum Assistance Program will also impact Northwest Territories businesses and organizations to an extent that has not yet been quantified;

AND WHEREAS the federal government made these spending cuts without any notice to or consultation with the Government of the Northwest Territories or the affected organizations;

AND WHEREAS in the absence of a resource revenue sharing agreement, the Government of the Northwest Territories, unlike provincial governments, has limited ability to replace the federal funding from its own revenues;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories convey to the federal government a strong objection to the recent cuts to the federal programs in the Northwest Territories, and press the federal government to reinstate these funds;

AND FURTHER, that the Government of the Northwest Territories convey to the federal government a strong opposition to any further cuts to federal programs in the Northwest Territories in advance of a resource revenue sharing agreement.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.