Mr. Chair, I want to follow up on the line of questions from Mr. Krutko, MLA for Mackenzie Delta, on the extraordinary funding that communities used to have and just hear the exchange between the Ministers and the Member here in terms of the communities that want to understand that some of the unforeseen disasters happen and communities know that MACA will be there for them and there is a clear understanding about funding if something happens. For example, last year the ice breakup in Norman Wells and certainly they appreciated the support from MACA where some discussions happened in terms of how the community was going to be compensated for taking care of this crucial facility for the community. They had worked out some of the arrangements, but some of the circumstances like that, that happened in our communities, we do what we have to do and hopefully the policies will catch up after. You have to get the water plant fixed up and done and then we catch up with the policies and the paperwork after. They were somewhat concerned that they may have to eat the cost; however, through the grace of this department here, they worked out arrangements where the funding could be reimbursed back to the communities.
I guess that’s what I am more focussed on, is a clear understanding that this extraordinary funding was a good initiative and what I am hearing from the Minister of Financem there are other pots of money that could be useful. I hope there is no grey
area in terms of what I am hearing also for municipalities or hamlets to make sure that this is the money for floods and damages of fire. So they know there are no grey areas and they are very clear that they will do what they have to do.
The Aklavik motto is “Never say die.” They do what they have to do to support the community, because this brings up a very important issue for us in the small communities.
I hear what the Ministers are saying. I hope the communities get a clear understanding that when they come to something like that, they know what to do, there is funding in place. I just want to raise that as a comment, maybe a question; that that is clearly communicated to the communities. This extraordinary funding was a good thing, I thought anyhow. I just wanted to make that comment.