Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Okay, I'm going to be addressing on the lack of funding in the communities.

Mr. Speaker, the lack of funding for communities is well known. It is mandate priority for this Assembly to address the municipal funding gaps. The current state of water services in Behchoko is exactly what happens when government chronically underfunds communities. They end up in a state of crisis.

In 2014, the community of Behchoko was known to be underfunded by $1.9 million. Mr. Speaker, seven years ago, the community was shortfall nearly $2 million annually to provide basic services. How much of a funding deficit does Behchoko and other 23 communities face today? How is the GNWT going to address the municipal funding gaps if we are not tracking funding deficits by community-based needs.

For example, every year the community of Behchoko has had to absorb $1.9 million growing deficit. It has prevented the community from improving infrastructure and services.

Mr. Speaker, since 2007, the capital budget allocation for all communities -- for all community government across the NWT has not kept up with requirements. This is not sustainable.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that when people are stressed financially, they are forced to make sacrifices and to make choices they would not make if they had the money. This result, as a result, community members leave, move to other communities due to lack of program and services. This threatens the very basis of communities' existence.

Mr. Speaker, how can the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs expect our communities to be developed, operate, and maintain all required services to manage healthy communities when they are facing chronic funding shortages.

Mr. Speaker, community cannot run an operational deficit. They have to balance their book at the end of every year. There is little finances available to communities to address major infrastructure challenges when there is little to no surplus funds. I will have questions for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs at appropriate time. Thank you.