Frederick Blake Jr.

Yes. You know, I hope I don't have to say, "I told you so," in the next year or two, but let's just hope that Inuvik is not put in danger with this decision that was made by the department. You never know how long freezeups can last, especially with climate change right now. The average is two months from the time they pull out the ferry until the heavy traffic can move through the ice road, so that is a lot of time. That is over 60 days that something tragic could happen with the situation that they have in Inuvik with the natural gas and LNG. We will just have to see what happens here...

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Thompson.

I do not know who they got to do their survey, or what they are basing this on but, Mr. Speaker, just look at the employment alone. Twenty to 30 people working every fall up there, especially the important time during the year just before Christmas, Mr. Speaker. Also, keeping the cost of living down during these times when the prices rise, which is both the fall and the spring, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to ask the Minister: has the department been working with the community of Inuvik to ensure that they don't run out of LNG, which is one of the other reasons for this operation running the place...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Outweighing the benefits for who? If you ask the people up in the Beaufort Delta, they are the ones benefitting from it. Now, other highway operations or winter roads, who is going to benefitting from of this now? That is the clear fact, and it is a shame that you have to cut one department to add a little more to a couple of different departments. It is pretty clear that that is what is happening. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. McNeely. Mr. Guy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have a great need for jobs in the Mackenzie Delta. I am really disappointed that very few jobs have been created in my region in recent years. Our government could make a huge difference.

The employment rate in Fort McPherson and Aklavik is barely over 40 per cent. Only one community in the Northwest Territories has an employment rate lower.

The lack of jobs is a big reason that incomes are so low, Mr. Speaker. In one of my communities, 42 per cent of the people who have filed tax returns make less than $15,000 a year. It is very, very hard to live on...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, during our briefings, the Minister was planning to make this reduction and actually put it in the highway operations. Is that actually what happened? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Minister Schumann.

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. The motion is carried.

---Carried

We have deferred consideration of this activity. Committee will now proceed to the next activity, found on page 239. Regional operations, operations expenditure summary, total activity, $126,995,000. This includes activity distribution on page 238 and information items on page 240. Before returning to the departmental total -- Mr. Testart.

Thank you, committee. We will try this again. Regional operations, operation expenditure summary, total activity, $126,995,000. This includes activity...

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. Mr. Guy.