Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the 2016-2017 main estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Overall, the department’s estimates propose an increase of $723,000, or less than one per cent over the 2015-16 main estimates. These estimates continue to support the objectives of limiting expenditure growth in order to sustain the long-term sustainability of the fiscal framework.
Highlights of the proposed estimates include
● $1.578 million in reductions that the department was able to find without reducing core funding to community governments; and
● $2.301 million in forced growth increases, primarily to support the increased cost of operations and maintenance, and water and sewer delivery at the community government level.
The proposed Department of Municipal and Community Affairs estimates continue to support the priorities of the 18thLegislative Assembly. Specific activities in support of these priorities include the continued implementation of the Accountability Framework for Community Governments. The Accountability Framework allows the department to more accurately identify supports required by community governments and to take steps to put those supports in place. The first Accountability Framework Annual Report will be tabled during this session of the Legislative Assembly.
MACA will work with 10 community governments as part of a pilot program to install and launch computerized maintenance and asset management systems; remote monitoring systems will be installed in two additional communities, and opportunities for additional systems are being investigated; building local capacity for careers that focus on community governance through the development and delivery of on-line training for community government staff and elected officials. That concludes my opening remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chair.