Effective April 1, 2007, Mr. Speaker, all community governments in the Northwest Territories are responsible for planning, designing, financing construction and implementation of community public infrastructure in their respective community. Using a variety of sources, including annual capital formula allocation from MACA, gas tax, and others, community governments can then plan, construct, design infrastructure that meets the needs and priorities of the respective community. MACA provides assistance and support to community governments, such as they develop, monitor, and regularly update their five-year capital investment plan to reflect progress and address key emerging needs.
The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are investing $25.8 million over the next 10 years under the New Building Canada Fund – Provincial/Territorial Infrastructure Component – Small Communities Fund to support infrastructure projects in northern Northwest Territories communities. The fund, which is delivered nationally, targets communities with a population of less than 100,000 people. The funding will be available from 2014 to 2024.
The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has produced a funding program, guide, and application form to assist the community governments in accessing funding. Later, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions on these two projects, or these two programs, and how they are being assisted to deliver maximum dollars to the smaller communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.