Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the deputy minister mentioned that there was some sort of infrastructure deficit in the whole system of all of the community infrastructure that exists. So what I'm curious about is, if a community does not have, say, paved streets. We'll use that as an example. If a community doesn't have paved streets, would that be considered an infrastructure deficit?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Young.

Thank you, Ms. Young. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm getting down to what my question would be, here. So certain items which are considered infrastructure deficit by the government would not include other things that larger communities already have, like paved streets. So therefore, if those don't count as infrastructure deficits, then they don't appear anywhere as a need, therefore there is high potential for this reallocation of infrastructure funding to be taken away from smaller communities and given to larger communities.

I've looked at a document previously which shows that, that things like not everyone has everything, and I don't expect every community to have everything, however, I expect the basics to be given to the communities and for it to be completely ignored as an infrastructure deficit I think is wrong. I would like the Minister to commit to returning to the Regular Members any change in the infrastructure allegations of this $28 million back to committee? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. When we were looking at the deficit figures, we did consult with the NWT Association of Communities on their advice on what the infrastructure component should include. It should be noted, though, that if we did include things like paved streets then the infrastructure deficit would be quite a bit larger than it actually is. It should also be noted that we haven't changed the $28 million; the funding is still allocated to the communities as previous. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Sorry, Mr. Beaulieu, your time has expired. Would you like me to put your name on again? Okay. Next we have Mr. McNeely.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is on the existing system. I've seen the existing system from our business plan reviews to the O and M discussions and then going back to the communities for this summer's construction season, seeing where the dollars are coming from and where they're going and how they're spent on capital applications being put forth.

So this whole model of capitalization, O and M and federal offsetting of access dollars such as what I've seen here, the small community fund, in one particular community they accessed $3 million. That's a significant amount for the construction season and the job it created.

So I'm just complimenting the system that's in place already. I wasn't here prior to what Ms. Young had mentioned on the Build Canada Fund opposed to the system now, but if the system now is working fine and if we can have assurances in the small communities that that system will continue. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I can't make assurances forever but I can ensure that during my tenure as the Minister of MACA that formula will remain. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Next we have Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Does the department with this money have rules and guidelines for the projects that each community can and cannot do? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we do. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Mr. Thompson?

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister for her answer. Can we get a copy of this rules and guidelines so that we're aware of what is able and not able to be built with this money? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we will provide the Members a copy. It comes from the CPI funding and we will provide a copy of it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I thank the Minister who will be providing that for us. In regards to this funding, the infrastructure deficit, does this funding allow communities to purchase or build homes for staff so they can get quality people in to the communities and give them homes so that they can do the work that's needed? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Cochrane.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, the communities can choose to do that within their capital planning process. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister Cochrane. Mr. Thompson?