Alfred Moses, minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) apologized Wednesday after earlier chuckling that day in response to a question about a funding gap facing NWT communities.

In a heated exchange, Kam Lake MLA Kieron Testart grilled Moses in the legislative assembly on a funding shortfall to NWT communities from the GNWT.

The gap SA国际影视传媒� which is currently $40 million SA国际影视传媒� will likely lead communities to pass increased costs onto their constituents to cover municipal costs like vehicle fleet fuel, as the carbon tax comes into effect, NWT Association of Communities Executive Director Sara Brown recently told a group of MLAs.

The longstanding short-fall means thereSA国际影视传媒檚 little resilience to new costs, outside of reduced service or increased taxes, she said.

Testart called on the government to address the gap before the end of the session, eliciting cackles from the house.

SA国际影视传媒淚 do apologize. I did laugh,SA国际影视传媒� Moses said, after Testart drew attention to his response, but SA国际影视传媒渨e are doing things. We are working.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淎 naked example of passing the buckSA国际影视传媒�

Testart said there needs to be continued pressure to address the funding gap.

SA国际影视传媒淭he state of community funding in the Northwest Territories has a major problem and weSA国际影视传媒檝e known about this problem for a very long-time,SA国际影视传媒� Testart said.

Moses said feedback on the current funding strategy would be released before the end of the session. The 19th Assembly, however, would have to address how the strategySA国际影视传媒檚 shortfalls, and the impacts of challenges like climate change.

SA国际影视传媒淚n reality SA国际影视传媒� this going is to be something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 going to need to be addressed by the next government,SA国际影视传媒� Moses argued.

Testart called that a SA国际影视传媒渘aked example of passing the buckSA国际影视传媒� after members have advocated to close the gap for four years.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat can be done in this sitting to address these issues?SA国际影视传媒� he said to chuckling from across the aisle.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd the ministers laugh at this request,SA国际影视传媒� Tesart continued. SA国际影视传媒淭his is a request that was bought forward by the (NWT Association of Communities). This is a request that was brought forward by community leaders time and time again and to be met with laughter now.SA国际影视传媒�

An upcoming budget could address the issue, according to Testart.

Moses promptly apologized.

SA国际影视传媒淚 did laugh, but at the same time, it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 fall only on us as a territorial government,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Moses said the priorities of the municipalities also comes into play. Citing recent announcements with the federal government, he again committed to continuing working with the NWT Association of Communities.

Testart persisted.

SA国际影视传媒淭his isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a federal issue," Testart said. "We created the formula, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e not funding it. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the issue. This gap is entirely the responsibility of this government, and no other government.SA国际影视传媒�

Moses further discussed work on community priorities, which Testart maintained is a separate issue from the Territory-provided money.

The minister of municipal and community affairs suggested focusing on the SA国际影视传媒渆ssentialsSA国际影视传媒� was preferable.

SA国际影视传媒淒o you want sewage and water or do you want a nice gym?SA国际影视传媒� he asked. SA国际影视传媒淒o you want safe water or a nice swimming pool? SA国际影视传媒� Do you want a nice track and field or people provided with the essentials?SA国际影视传媒�

Moses insisted he simply wants a roof over residentsSA国际影视传媒� heads, but when there are municipalities asking for SA国际影视传媒渁bove and beyondSA国际影视传媒� their essential needs, SA国际影视传媒渢hose are the decisions we have to make,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淚f we had an endless credit card, sure," he said. "But right now, we donSA国际影视传媒檛.SA国际影视传媒�