Hay River (Dec 13/04) - Diana Ehman is pleased a spotlight has been focused on the requirement for more infrastructure funding in NWT communities.

"It needed to be done," says the Hay River mayor of a new report from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) and the NWT Association of Communities (NWTAC).

The report states current investment by government and the communities is only meeting 60 per cent of needs.

Over the next 10 years, it is estimated the so-called infrastructure deficit for NWT communities will be $186 million.

"Each year that we under-invest increases the shortfall," says MACA Minister Michael McLeod.

Ehman says the report will help Northerners lobby the federal government for more funding.

She believes many southerners don't understand the infrastructure requirements of the NWT, since its population is just 42,000.

She notes that would be a small city in the south, but in the NWT there are over 33 communities and all require separate infrastructure.

In Fort Resolution, Mayor Dave Pierrot with the Deninoo Community Council says more infrastructure money is needed, especially for youth.

Pierrot notes, for example, that not enough money is available to create a youth centre. The work requires $120,000, but only $80,000 is available.

The new report -- entitled Building Healthy Communities -- only looks at infrastructure used by community governments to provide their programs and services, such as water and waste water facilities, public buildings and fire protection.

It does not include high-cost items such as highways, airports, territorial facilities or schools. It was released Dec. 6 by McLeod and Blake Lyons, the president of the NWTAC. Lyons calls the infrastructure deficit a national issue.

"This paper proposes a plan of action intended to address the specific needs of NWT community governments."