Thank you, Mr. Chair. As this Legislative Assembly did back with the 2020-2021 Main Estimates, we came together collectively and worked collaboratively on an approach to commit to investing in much needed infrastructure that is one of the priorities for this Legislative Assembly and for NWT residents. There are some commitments that arise, some that approach. They are as follows:
Federal Housing Co-Investment Fund - Northern Carve Out
Communities in the Northwest Territories are in need of new construction of mixed-income, mixed-use affordable housing. To provide eligible organizations the equity needed to apply for and start drawing down the $60 million carve out from the Co-Investment Fund, I will commit to providing the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation a contribution of $5 million in each of 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024, a total of $15 million. The funding for the first year will be included in the annual funding contribution from the Department of Finance to Northwest Territories Housing Corporation through the 2021-2022 Main Estimates that will be considered at the February/March 2021 session.
Community Infrastructure
As I indicated during my fiscal update, COVID-19 will continue to have an impact on the government's fiscal situation. While I am confident the federal government will continue to help mitigate that impact, it will not be 100 percent dollars. However, reducing the municipal funding gap is a priority for this government, although it needs to be done in a fiscally responsible manner. I, therefore, commit to providing municipalities a one-time top-up of $2.5 million in 2021-2022 towards that municipal funding gap. The funding will be included in the 2021-2022 Supplementary Appropriation No. 1 (Infrastructure Expenditures), to be considered during the February/March 2021 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Other Commitments
- The Department of Infrastructure will be advancing 20 kilometres, from kilometre 70 to kilometre 90, of chipseal overlay on Highway No. 6 to Fort Resolution in 2021-2022. The department anticipates the project will start in May 2021 and be completed by the end of September. The total estimated cost of this project is $900,000. The Department of Infrastructure will also be reviewing options to improve the access road to the Thebacha Campsite in Fort Smith. These additional chipseal projects will be funded from within the department's annual chipseal overlay program and do not require additional funding in the 2021-2022.
- As Members all saw during our tour of the Northwest Territories Fire Centre during the caucus retreat earlier this year, the existing leased building is old and no longer meeting operational needs to ensure the GNWT is able to effectively manage forest fire activity in the Northwest Territories. I have, therefore, directed the Department of Finance to work with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to undertake a feasibility study by early 2021. This study will outline potential options that the Assembly may consider for a potential new fire centre.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.