Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee met with the Minister and his officials on Monday, September 26, 2005, to review the draft business plan of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
Members also received a briefing from the Minister of Finance on January 17, 2006, outlining the changes to the budget of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs since the committee reviewed the business plan in September.
Committee members made note that the department is proposing to spend $110 million in operations expenses and $31 million on capital projects in fiscal year 2006-2007.
Committee members offer the following comment on issues arising out of the review of the 2006-2007 Draft Main Estimates and budget-planning cycle.
MACA - Land Access And Squatters On Commissioner's Land
Building affordable and adequate housing for their residents is a serious challenge for our communities. The inability to expand our communities is jeopardizing our families and our businesses. For instance, the location of the proposed Kam Lake access road is on disputed land. This is one of the reasons the access road could not be included in the Department of Transportation's Corridors for Canada II proposal to the federal government. The difficulties of obtaining funding for this road may delay construction.
There are several issues complicating land administration. These are: the limited availability of land due to ongoing land claim issues; the lengthy 60-day consultation periods required by interim measures agreements, and finally, small communities simply face too many complicated land administration issues.
People without land tenure are building on Commissioner's land because of the lack of land and affordable housing available to them. With the impact of resource development upon us, the housing situation will become even more dire.
The committee recognizes the efforts of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to address the issues of land access and squatters by increasing land administration positions in the regions. We believe, however, that the department could go even further by taking over all land administration related issues for the government.
Recommendation
In order to allow territorial businesses to grow and to give residents access to affordable housing, the Governance and Economic Development committee recommends Municipal and Community Affairs expedite resolution of the access to land issues and also encourage the federal government to fulfill their obligations with regards to land administration in the Northwest Territories.
The Governance and Economic Development committee also recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs broaden their mandate with regard to land administration and become the department responsible for all GNWT matters pertaining to land administration.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.