Michael Miltenberger

Yes, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. In regard to the concern about deferred maintenance, what has happened over the years, at least that I’ve been in this Legislature and yourself, Madam Chair, is whenever there were fiscal pressures and reductions in the past, capital was cut, often because it was the least painful. It didn’t require layoffs and you could hit some of the targets and protect programs and services.

In addition, just a general financial condition that we operate in, for example, since 2008 with the recession, money has been a lot tighter. So will we ever get completely out of deferred...

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the witness table we have deputy ministers Mike Aumond, Finance; and Mr. Paul Guy, Public Works and Services.

I’m here to present the 2013-14 Capital Estimates of the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The estimates outline appropriations for government and community infrastructure investments of $123 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year. This amount includes $75 million for GNWT capital projects, $12 million for projects funded through the federal government’s Building Canada Plan, $28 million for contributions towards community infrastructure projects, and $8...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents, entitled Interim Public Accounts of the Government of the Northwest Territories for the year ended March 31, 2012, and 2011-2012 58th Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Liquor Commission and Liquor Licensing Board. Thank you.

There is no such anticipation at this juncture. Our involvement is for a lot of the ancillary land and commitment to try to assist to the extent that we have with the $27 million. At this point, that is the extent of our commitment and there are no indications as Finance Minister, nor am I aware of any at this point that would require any further contribution on the part of the territorial government.

We have committed to that amount of money. This is a federal responsibly. In fact, as we take over devolution, the signed devolution to take over land, water and resource development, Giant will be a separate issue that will stay under the purview of the federal government. At this point, the hope is, the plan is that that money will be sufficient. If there’s any more money required, once again, this is a federal responsibly.

Madam Chair, may I also ask the Minister of MACA to elaborate further on that particular point, please?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to update the Members on our fiscal situation.

I tabled the first budget of the 17th Legislative Assembly in May, just five short months ago. Our commitment to protect programs and services has not changed, and our strategy of limiting new expenditure growth to ensure surpluses has become even more important as global economic instability persists.

While our economy is recovering slowly from the global slowdown, we remain vulnerable to uncertain economic conditions. Statistics Canada’s latest estimate shows a 2 percent decline in the NWT...

Thank you, Madam Chair. There are two key points. The infrastructure money under the New Deal, it was a five-year arrangement and it’s currently up for review and discussion with the Association of Communities and the communities about its adequacy, and after this first five years, are there changes, do things have to be adjusted.

As we’ve demonstrated through the business planning process we’ve identified because of, if I can use the Sahtu as a very specific case, because of the pressures that are there with the increased exploration and pressures on infrastructure and demand that we’ve made...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have Mr. Williams, deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.