Robert C. McLeod

Community governments have the authority and the control to make decisions about infrastructure in their community. The Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk is responsible for developing and implementing a multi-year capital development plan on how to fund capital projects. Through the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, we provide regular support to communities should they seek our advice on some of the projects that they have in mind.

One of the things we need to remember is that it is seven years until the Canada Winter Games in 2023, and there are seven GNWT planning cycles prior to that. This gives us some time and flexibility to come up with the necessary funding to support our part of the Canada Winter Games.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to the Member that I will have a discussion with the sporting sector as to the involvement of all those, including the Government of Northwest Territories, because we want to ensure that our selection process is fair and gives all those athletes in small communities the opportunity to participate in the games. I can say that from experience that two Arctic Winter Games ago we had 27 of the 33 communities that were actually represented by athletes. I think that's indicative of all the good work that goes on out in the regions, in small...

There would obviously be information shared with the public as to the trials that are going on. I think the regional trials are normally run by the folks in the region. They have their way of getting the word out there. But again, there's an expectation that, and I believe on the Sport North website, there's also opportunities for knowing which trials are coming up. Being an Arctic Winter Games here, there's an expectation that all the athletes that plan to participate know of the trials coming up. I will review that, though, and see exactly how the call goes out for athletes wishing to...

The evidence points to the fact that our expenditures are rising a lot quicker than with our revenues, and with our limited base, we would put a terrible burden on those that are paying taxes. It could work both ways. We may have folks leaving if they're paying too many taxes or we could have folks actually come into the territories if we provide opportunity and a fairly steady, predictable tax rate. Again, as I said before, we will commit to working with committee. We have committed to working with committee in reviewing our budget and our options, and I need to point out that Newfoundland...

We're not hoping the public responds; speaking from past experience, we do know that the public is fairly plugged in and they do respond to a lot of the issues that we raise in this House. I take the Member's point, though. I'll work with the department to see if there's an online tool that they could use as far as public consultation goes. To actually go out and visit the communities at this late stage of the game and the amount of money that it may cost, may not bring much value at this point. However, as I said before, we would consider doing something when we're developing the 2017/2018...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to provide Members with more background on our fiscal situation. As Members heard on February 16, 2016, the federal Finance Minister announced a partial restoration of $24 million in annual Territorial Formula Financing funding lost through the unintended consequences of the data methodology revisions. While this is welcome news, the GNWT has already included a scenario in its fiscal forecast presented to Members that included the partial restoration of the Territorial Formula Financing. The problem, however, has not changed. The GNWT...

Speaking as the Minister responsible for Infrastructure, I can tell you that if the City decides to proceed with the bid, and subject to direction from the Financial Management Board, the NWT Housing Corporation is prepared to enter and negotiate a 70/30 split on the construction of an athletes' village that will meet the needs of the Canada Winter Games and the NWT Housing Corporation for public housing. Given the expected increase in the number of seniors, this would also be a project that would benefit the seniors in the Northwest Territories as well. There is a possibility that we can use...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I need to preface anything I say about the Canada Winter Games by stating that I can’t speak for the will of the House, its Members, committees, or the actions of future government. It is understood that a games bid by the City of Yellowknife would require the GNWT to support its share of the operational infrastructure requirements as per the standard Canada Winter Games tri-party agreement. If the City makes a bid, the GNWT will mobilize our departments to come up with potential financing models to meet the GNWT funding obligations. Our initial take was that...

I can actually ask the Member that question in his former role, so I've got to be careful what I say here.

---Laughter

Our regional staff are all very involved in the Arctic Winter Games trials and the selection of athletes. It's actually a part of what they do and it’s part of what they believe in, supporting the athletes that are getting out there, so they would play a role in helping to organize trials and working to get athletes to the next level.