Thank you, committee. The next activity is on pages 334 to 337, community operations. Comments or questions? Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The department business plans noted that a complete asset management strategy for the NWT community governments has been approved by Canada for use under the gas tax agreement to guide the distribution of targeted capital business building funds. Has MACA completed its work with the first intake of the 11 community governments? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Ms. Young.

Thank you. Minister Moses.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to inform the Member and all Members that we are strongly advocating for this asset management in all the communities, and all the other programs that we do provide. This weekend, I think, is going to be an opportunity to provide the services that MACA delivers to our partners. I just wanted to ensure the Member that we are on top of this and that it is something that is, I think, going to help us move forward in terms of the work and the support that we provide to our municipal governments. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With the 11 for the first intake, what communities are being engaged with the second intake? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. At this moment, we don't have the detail for all the communities, but we can get that information, and we will share it with the Member to let him know the work that is going on, being undertaken, with asset management. We will share that information with the Member as soon as we get it. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Being an MLA for designated authorities, four of them anyway, what is the status with respect to designated authorities with this program or with this strategy? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Ms. Young.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The designated authorities, have we started approaching them? Because this is actually a very important program. I mean it helps them monitor equipment, facilities, and that, so have we been approaching them to encourage them to be part of this? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Obviously, all of our communities in the Northwest Territories, we have been approaching. The designated authorities are one of them. With our gas tax, we have been focused on making sure that they have the same opportunities as tax-based communities and municipalities. So, obviously, we are reaching out to all of our 33 communities, and this is something, concerns from the Member but probably some concerns from our leadership, that we will be having discussions with this weekend. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, when we talk about gas tax, there are challenges, and, you know, we have had conversations about this, where communities' the funding has been withheld there. Can the Minister update us with the designated authorities, what is the status, whether it is today or a follow-up? I know we have had a conversation, but can we get that follow-up to tell us where we are? It is just not designated authorities, but any communities out there that are being impacted by this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, I will commit to doing a follow-up on the gas tax. I have had meetings with the Member on communities, and not just in particular in his region but communities across the NWT, and, like I said, if it comes up this weekend, we will have those discussions. I know there has to be more than just us being at the table; right? We need to have reliable staff working at the municipal governments, Indigenous governments, with the designated authorities, to address some of these issues, but I think that is something that needs to be addressed because, if we are not going to be able to flow that funding out, then the needs of the communities might not be met. Hopefully, we will have those discussions this weekend with the elected leaders across the Northwest Territories. We will follow up with the Member and give them an update. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Thompson.