Yes, I do, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present the 2023-2024 Main Estimates for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. Overall, the department's estimates propose an increase of $62.577 million, or 50.8 percent, over the 2022-2023 Main Estimates. These estimates support the mandate objectives for the department while continuing to meet the Government of the Northwest Territories' fiscal objectives to prioritize responsible and strategic spending.
Much of the increase in the department's proposed main estimates is funding of $61.729 million to complete recovery work related to the 2022 flood in the Town of Hay River and on the K'atlodeeche First Nation Reserve.
Other highlights of the proposed estimates include an increase of $1.375 million in initiative funding. Of this amount, $833,000 is for community governments to assist them in providing municipal services and to fully achieve the Government of the Northwest Territories' mandate commitment to reduce the municipal funding gap by $5 million. There is also an increase of $89,000 for the Deline Got'ine government consistent with the terms of their financing agreement.
The remaining $453,000 in initiatives funding is to provide for three additional full-time emergency management organization positions to provide greater support to community governments and for the department to increase capacity for emergency management activities and support monitoring and situational awareness, mitigation, and prevention of territorial emergencies.
Other increases include $8,000 to support the costs of providing NWT 9-1-1 services in both French and English; $227,000 in forced growth funding for projected increases in rebates to senior and disabled persons for property taxes; and an increase of $15,000 for projected increases in amortization due to the depreciation of new vehicles in Fort Simpson and Inuvik.
Reductions reflected in the proposed main estimates include $507,000 for the sunsetting of one-time funding in 2022-2023 for additional NWT 9-1-1 staffing costs and $150,000 for auditing services required for the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. There is also a decrease of $120,000 in the contract services budgeted to reflect a reduction of this budgetary item across all departments.
These estimates continue to support the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly and vision of Budget 2023 by meeting the mandate commitment of reducing the municipal funding gap of $5 million.
I look forward to answering any questions the committee may have. That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair. Thank you.