Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government, in regard to the all-season road from Tuk to Inuvik, the federal government must see the potential, not the potential, but the resources there in the community and for a deep sea port for the Western Arctic, I think the Western Arctic, and my point has been left out. Everything that’s driven by the federal government that’s been given out to any sort of funding has been going to the Eastern Arctic. Mr. Speaker, we have to step up to the plate and get something done in regard to this highway. Not only the highway but for the pipeline and to get the...

Thank you. Will the government devote lobbying resources and attention to the mega project of this size that it deserves, and will the government involve MLAs up and down the delta or in the valley, community leaders and corporate leaders to push forward the true form of an inclusive campaign group to head to Ottawa? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am happy to recognize my wife, Jenny, my daughter Chelsey, my daughters Kirstin and Mikayla and my son Matthew. I am really happy to have you here this week. I also would like to congratulate Ms. Miki O’Kane and Mr. Fred Carmichael who used to work up in Tuk when I was just a young guy, probably about 14 years old pumping floats off his float planes all the time and getting free rides from him. I want to congratulate everybody and welcome to the House. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on the Mackenzie Valley Highway. Two years ago we embarked on the very important project of the construction of Access Road 177. This $12 million three-year project involves local contractors and local suppliers and employs 75 to 80 people. The majority of the locals are all Inuvialuit. The project is an excellent start to what will one day become the Mackenzie Valley Highway, but it is only the start.

Recently the Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik road project required $975,000 towards the project description report and preliminary design. Currently...

Thank you. Will the government commit to pushing the all-season road from Inuvik to Tuk with funding sources such as with the federal government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement was regarding the Mackenzie Valley Highway in between Tuk and Inuvik and right down to Wrigley. Mr. Speaker, due to the pipeline being delayed, I think this is a good go for it to keep our people busy in the region and up and down the Valley. So will the government lobby the federal government to show the serious commitment by elevating options such as the P3 leaseback arrangement, not just internally but to local government leadership, aboriginal groups and corporate leaders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Lastly, this project would generate $140 million to $250 million worth of construction activity in the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk portion alone. It would be a huge shot in our economic environment in the region and in our Territory. Only with the completion of the highway, the federal government and the territorial government must say that Canada is truly linked coast to coast to coast.

I will have questions for the Minister of Transportation and Industry, Tourism and Investment at the appropriate time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on substance abuse programs. Communities all across the Territories are continuously struggling with severe substance abuse problems. I’m sad to say that we’re leading in Canada in many of these areas as this problem progresses. Even more sad to say is that communities are coping with these challenges alone and there is very little support from this government.

I have spoken with the mayor of Tuktoyaktuk. He appreciates a contribution commitment for the years to run their centre. We hope we can start helping the people in similar ways as...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is in regards to the JRP report. When I was the past mayor of Tuktoyaktuk, I was in full support of the pipeline on a go-forward basis. I am still a big proponent of the push that I would like to see this project go.

Mr. Chairman, people in the Beaufort-Delta right now need jobs. People are not working. There is nothing going on. You have almost highlight companies that are almost going under right now due to lack of work and the lack of the federal government. I wish they would put more to the all-weather road between Tuk and Inuvik to keep businesses both in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to go back to item 5 on the orders of the day. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted