Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, that isn't correct. The federal money is a split 75/25 per cent; however, they can use their core funding to actually -- capital funding to provide those units if that's their desire. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for that answer. I'm just going to assume I know this answer already but I'm going to ask it anyway: has this been shared with the communities and are the councils informed of their ability to do that? Because there seems to be some confusion out there so I'm wondering if it has been available to the communities that that's what they can do. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, it has been shared with the communities; however if there is any community out there that is unsure of the policies going forward MACA's whole priority is to work with communities and provide them the supports they need, the tools they need to function properly. So we would more than happy to go back in and work with any community that is a bit confused on the funding process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister. I'm good with that. Once I get this information I can share with the communities, and I understand who the people are already in my riding who does the work. I again thank the Minister for clarifying that and deputy minister for clarifying that today. So thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of questions for the Minister. You know, I'm very familiar with municipal funding to the communities as it just came into place when I just became a chief and mayor. You know the advantages this fund has for the communities it just can't be compared to the way it used to be.

You know everybody was in line for, you know, a project for many years, but now we've just got to budget for it and plan and go forward. I really hope that this fund could continue over the years to come, and I'd just like to thank the government at the time and this government for following through on this. I know there is plans over the last while here to possibly reduce the amount going to communities. Just moving forward, I'd just like to be assured that funds, for example, for Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson, Aklavik will remain the same over the next few years? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, I'd like to say thank you for the appreciation of the work that MACA has done. I am honoured to be the Minister for MACA; it is about community development and it works well with my social work degree.

I also agree that some of the changes that they've made, things like the New Deal, the funding formula, are really progressive and do talk about community development. So thank you. The second part of that is as long as I'm here I will ensure that the funding stays. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Anything further? Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm sure the department does know this, but coming from a small community, for example, like Tsiigehtchic, with the amount of funds that we do get for a major project, for example, the band office or the new municipal office they're planning for, in order to build a piece of infrastructure like this, we do have to save for a number of years to have enough funds to proceed with the project. It's always important to keep this in mind.

I know that was one of the concerns, that the communities weren't spending that money, but you always have to remember from the communities' aspect is we have to first save in order to have enough to pay for our projects. That was one of the reasons why those weren't happening, but in visiting all the communities, you see the infrastructure, whether it's the new hamlet office in Fort McPherson or all the other great infrastructure the communities have, all the new equipment now. It's very good to see, very positive, and hopefully this continues. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think that's a bit of a comment, but I do want to express my honour to be able to travel to the communities and see both the strengths and the challenges that are faced within the diverse communities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Committee, any further questions on pages 65, 66? Questions? Thank you, committee. That brings us back to page 65. Municipal and Community Affairs, regional operations, infrastructure investments, $28,002,000. Are we agreed? Oh, sorry. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I thought I had indicated that I wanted to get back on the list. I won't be as long. Just two questions. The first question is: when they talk about infrastructure deficit in the communities, we know now that paved streets or chip sealed streets or whatever type of suppressant you wish to put on your streets is not part of infrastructure deficit. Is housing, is staff housing, part of infrastructure deficit?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, housing is not in the allocated amount. But as stated earlier, we will provide a list of the items that are approved. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Earlier on the deputy referred to the Building Canada Fund. At one point, MACA had a seven-year agreement followed by a ten-year agreement. I'm wondering, since this is well within the time, I'm wondering why the BCF is not incorporated into this number. In fact, not incorporated into the actuals and last fiscal year as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Young.