Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, today I'm going to be talking about water, and it's to the Minister of MACA. So Mr. Speaker, the Minister responsible for MACA keeps talking about the community having to choose. Mr. Speaker, the community never had a choice when these water pipes were put in place back in 1970s. The territorial government was only three years old when these pipes were installed. Mr. Speaker, at that time, the community consultation process did not exist. The community did not have a choice in 1970, and now you are asking them to pay the bill. It was the GNWT's decision 50 years ago to put in underground water pipe. Now it is your job to fix it.
Mr. Speaker, this piece of infrastructure was nearly 40 years old when MACA decided to share gas tax with the community. The GNWT should have established a fund to replace the infrastructure at that time that it was built.
Mr. Speaker, it is very unfair of the government to provide an extra million dollars in funding and tell the community to pay for a $10 million infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I am currently doing research, and I believe the GNWT is underfunding 23 of 33 communities in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, this is an emergency situation. There are 200 people that rely on that water pipe. Also several pieces of GNWT infrastructures, like Chief Jimmy Bruneau School, Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary School, Jimmy Erasmus Senior Home, Mary Adele Bishop Health Centre, and government offices that consist of staff from MACA, income support, justice, renewable resources, social services, medical travel, mental help, and TCSA finance and admin.
GNWT assets are all on water pipe system. As we speak, Elizabeth MacKenzie Elementary School is closed due to water pipe frozen.
Mr. Speaker, as reported, education outcome in Tlicho region is poor. Disruption with water is not helping. Mr. Speaker, all of these department had to shut down their office due to water problems. Both schools -- Mr. Speaker, can I have a unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted