Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As we indicated in a previous response, we are talking to the federal government about their commitment to the road, $150 million, and when it could flow and how it would be sequenced to see if we could, in fact, put their money to work as soon as we can while we sort our own circumstances out.
I’ve noted the comments on the schools in YK, but clearly, with a $75 million budget, there are far more needs than we have resources
The small cap budget hasn’t increased, but Health has made the case that there should be a separate amount of money put aside for their very specific and ongoing needs.
I would point out, in terms of your concern about the ongoing community needs, that they do have significant needs, but up until this budget their money that we committed to them has grown at a rate greater than all other government programming. But we, as well, share the concern that we have to continue to be supportive of them.
There is $1.6 million left in carry-over dollars, apparently, for Highway No. 7. Clearly not enough and it’s one of the items that’s on our red flag list. As our budget stays at these modest numbers, the amount of carry-overs will, I think, absolutely drop. The bigger the budget, the more challenge.
Once again, I appreciate the Member’s concerns but over the years with the changes we’ve made to the capital planning processes, we have, as well, seen a progressive drop on a percentage basis even with a $1.1 billion budget over the last three years. Thank you.