Mr. Speaker, I have a return to a written question asked by Mr. Braden on October 18, 2006, concerning the impacts of federal budget reductions on NGOs and government sectors. Specifically, Mr. Braden asked for a written assessment of the impacts of those cuts on the NWT in the areas of jobs in the NGO and government sectors, court proceedings, economic impacts and social services impacts.
Mr. Speaker, the funding reductions announced in September amounted to just over $1 billion. It is difficult to provide an accurate assessment of the impact as these cuts were primarily to federal administration and to federal funding for third parties. Many of the reductions were in the area of application-based funding programs like the Museum Assistance Program, the Court Challenges Program and several women's programs.
The ability of several and various third parties to adjust to lost opportunities, as well as the impact of cuts to federal government administration and operations, is impossible for the GNWT to assess with any accuracy.
Mr. Speaker, the GNWT's formula funding arrangement with the Government of Canada, as well as government-to-government funding agreements already in place, were not directly impacted by the federal funding reductions announced in September. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.