Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, [Translation] I'm talking about the community. I want to talk about the municipal government that they have lack of funding [Translation ends] and a lot of discussion in this House about the gap in funding for communities.
Over the 19th Legislative Assembly, the GNWT increased funding by $5 million to NWT communities; however, with the cost of inflation we know this funding does not near close the gap. Even with the additional $5 million, the gap for municipal funding continues to grow.
I am concerned, Mr. Speaker, how the funding gap impacts employees of municipalities and communities. In my region, lately the community government have been hiring women in nontraditional jobs. There are some women who drive trucks that deliver water, that collect garbage, empty sewage, and maintain roads. Not only are these women able to learn new skills, but they are also able to maintain a secure job at home with their children in their communities. I hear from community government workers in my region they love their jobs. They love working in their communities and providing essential services for their people, but the salary is a struggle.
Mr. Speaker, if this is how workers in my region are feeling, what about the communities further north with even higher operating costs?
Mr. Speaker, we know that municipalities and communities are underfunded so they struggle to provide the essential community services and balance their books at the end of the day. How does this impact workers? How is this impacting NWT residents in communities who want to live and work in their community? I will have question for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. Thank you.