I am pleased to present the 2015-2016 Main Estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Overall, the department’s estimates propose an increase of $4.02 million, or 3.8 percent, over the 2014-2015 Main Estimates.
Highlights of the proposed estimates include:
• funding of $48.3 million to provide for community government operation and maintenance costs and $17.6 million for water and sewer costs, a total increase of $2.27 million from 2014-2015;
• forced growth funding of $2.939 million is comprised of $469,000 for Collective Agreement increases, $613,000 in community government operations and maintenance funding and an increase of $1.857 million in water and sewer operations funding;
• a decrease of $474,000 as a result of departmental reductions. This includes the repeal of the Extraordinary Funding Policy and the reduction of water and sewer forced growth.
In addition, last fall the Legislative Assembly approved the commitment of infrastructure contribution funding for community governments totaling $28 million. The department will also continue to administer the Gas Tax Agreement on behalf of the federal government. These two programs will contribute $43 million towards community infrastructure in 2015-2016.
The proposed Department of Municipal and Community Affairs’ Main Estimates continue to support the priorities of the 17th Assembly. Some specific activities in support of these priorities include:
• $1 million in new funding to provide support for the community selected to host the 2018 Arctic Winter Games;
• an increase of $350,000 related to the transfer of funding from the Executive for the delivery of the Non-Government Organization Stabilization Fund;
• funding of $400,000 to enhance community capacity in the areas of ground ambulance and highway rescue;
• funding of $1.275 million to provide for recreation, sport and physical activity programs in communities across the Northwest Territories;
• funding of $1.425 million to provide community governments and youth serving organizations with support for various youth development projects; and
• funding of $1 million to support the training and development of senior community government staff.
That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you.