Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate that clarification. I think that's good news on behalf of the communities. It certainly sounds like this significant pot of money can go towards helping the communities further reduce their infrastructure gap. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Debates of June 24th, 2016
This is page numbers 837-874 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was communities.
Topics
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Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
No, thank you, Mr. Chair. We appreciate the Member's comments. Thank you.
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Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chair. There is, of course, this Gas Tax Fund on this page. It was my understanding that there was going to be a draft strategy that will or has been created that will outline how this fund will be spent. Could the Minister please give us an update on the status of the strategy and when it will be made available to the public? Thank you.
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Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, there is no strategy that I know of. This is gas tax funding that we've been receiving since 2005, and we've been getting basically the same amount every year. We've divided that amongst the communities on a per capita -- as part of the funding review, and there is a certain criteria around the gas tax funding that this money can be used for. Starting, I think, last year, there was an increase to the gas tax funding, an increase of two per cent. My understanding is it's going to be a two per cent increase every year. Or every two years there will be an increase to this fund. They do have some criteria. I mean, I'd be more than happy to provide a briefing note to the Member and Members so they can understand how the gas tax works, how the gas tax funding works, and I mean I'd be happy to share as well the amounts that are allocated to each community. So I'll provide that information to them. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the Minister's offer to create a briefing note on this point, and I would like to take him up on that. The question I have here relates to a gas tax agreement. Is there any other line item in this budget which refers to a gas tax? Thank you.
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Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
No, there is not, Mr. Chair. This is just money that we get from the federal government and this is the only place it would show up in. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you to the Minister for that clarification. I don't have any further questions.
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Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, on the gas tax, it was bumped up by $6 million in the last fiscal year. I was wondering if the Minister is anticipating any sort of bump in the gas tax this fiscal year.
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Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Thank you, Mr. Chair. For those details, I will ask Ms. Young to respond to that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Young
Thank you, Mr. Chair. There has been an increase of $750,000 this year over last. What you're seeing in those revised estimates is carryover money that was not flowed to communities from the previous year, because there are obligations for communities to do certain things in order to get their payments twice a year, and if they don't meet those obligations, we have to hold the money until they do. Reporting is one. So, for example, if they were behind on their reports, we hold the money until they submit the reports and then we flow it to them. So the revised estimates simply capture the additional money that was flowed as a result of that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the Minister if the gas tax can be used for capital.
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Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, that's correct. It can be used to help supplement the other capital programs. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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Tom Beaulieu Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask the Minister, the New Building Canada Plan, Small Community Fund, if that -- if all communities in the NWT are eligible for that $13 million fund?