Thank you, Madam Chair. Overall, I think I understand how this budget came to be, and as we are king of being reminded by the Minister, when we started the 17th Assembly, we had an

overview of the fiscal framework and how it’s going to work over the next four years. So I have an understanding in terms of how things are being laid out as we invest in the infrastructure. Perhaps sometimes this is aging while at the same time there are real needs in terms of communities. It’s vitally important and paramount that they receive the services that all Canadians enjoy across Canada.

I would like to say the budget overall this time around looks good, but of course, there are shortfalls. We are not going to please everybody. At the same time, there are some concerns that I have to obviously express on behalf of the constituents that I represent. Obviously, the first and foremost is the big gap in terms of ensuring that the basic, intrinsic and very vital infrastructure such as water treatment plants be considered. It is nowhere near in terms of studies in terms of whether it’s going to happen or not. There have been some discussions that, yes, some communities do have the capacity. They have been devolved some responsibility of fiscal resources and they have to do their homework, most likely do a business case analysis in terms of how it is they can make and maintain

operation and maintenance. That is the challenge that our communities face.

At the same time, I am hoping in the future, perhaps next year, we will have some progress on the front. There are still some communities, especially on the highway system where we promote tourism and business development, people that would like to invest in those communities and want to ensure that there are proper services to the public and to communities as well.

There are some blank spots in the budget, I think. For one, especially for the communities that I represent. I think, and looking at the big picture, it obviously has some strengths but the finer details of how it is that the small things don’t mean much for an overall view of the NWT budget, but is significantly needed for communities such as Fort Providence where there has been a growing interest in the area from the bridge to the old winter crossing. There are two peninsulas there that are heavily used in the summertime by tourists. They are very attracted to that area because in the summertime when they fish, there’s a wind and it keeps the bugs away. The point is that that highway should not be abandoned. I think the community has come up with a strong pull to ensure that the government maintains its obligations, especially for public safety purposes.

Education, I agree with my colleagues. We have some startling figures that point to our failures in the small communities. Sure, perhaps throwing money at problems may not solve it, but there is such a thing, a belief, that if you do something very nice, especially for kids, they will be attracted to going to school if you are a kid. If they relate to a nice, shiny building in our community that is very bright, teachers that recognize their gift and being able to create an environment, I think is an investment. So I’m disappointed in the shortfall in this regard.

There are still some very startling needs, especially in housing. Right now we have made some strong efforts in trying to look at a system that is at least responsive to the public needs, especially people that live in communities in terms of falling through the system. Sometimes there are people who are unable to meet criteria and prerequisites and thresholds of income to be able to move out of public housing rent and try to get their own houses, especially young families. There is still a challenge out there. This effort falls short in terms of looking at some collaboration with agencies and stakeholders, and ensuring we come up with some very novel ideas that meet those needs of community residents that might want to, in the end, own their own houses.

There are still needs in terms of going back to the people’s needs. We still have issues of homelessness and poverty that I think we still need to work on. I am encouraged by my colleagues that

that has to go forward. We need to have some substantive efforts to ensure that we show the public that yes, indeed, we’re a government is responsive, and indeed some efforts and initiatives will result for work ahead of us.

I was really encouraged over the course of the summer of seeing the Anne Buggins Wellness Centre open on the Hay River Reserve. I know the Department of Health and Social Services had a pivotal role in ensuring that that came to a realization. I also understand and appreciate some of the complexities in terms of tenureship of lands, lands that are designated for federal Crown land within a reserve, and of course a reserve within the NWT. Fundamentally I think it is a challenge working with other jurisdictions, especially with the reserve, but I am encouraged with the idea that the health and wellness centre has opened up on the reserve. It has been a model perhaps that has been achieved because of inter-jurisdictional cooperation and understanding, and some trails that has been blazed. I commend the people who were involved with that project. I am encouraged to the point that I’m hoping that those advances that were made on the reserve will not stop. There are some comparative disparities in terms of the reserve and the town of Hay River. When people look across the river, they would like to receive the same services as other people enjoy right across Canada. I’m hoping that some arrangements will be struck at some point in terms of the Katlodeeche First Nations. They have an aspiration to create a land claim or treaty land entitlement structures. I know there are matters of jurisdiction that need to be sorted out. I am encouraged that government will make advances in the future.

Really, for the most part, infrastructure projects in communities are appreciated because it only does not create jobs for people, it creates jobs for people but at the same time it invigorates the business community. At this point in Fort Providence, the health centre is being constructed. It’s a project that will likely last for two years. It will create employment and enhance the business community in Fort Providence.

So those were just a few comments that I wanted to make. I appreciate the time that has been recorded for this subject. Mahsi.