Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not even going to try to match that. I’d like to follow up on recent statements regarding the state of the mineral industry and our economy. A message of hope, I think fitting with the season.
Recent numbers and figures are used to compare NWT mineral activity to our sister territories, often painting a dim picture of prosperity. All troubles are laid at the feet of a supposedly dysfunctional regulatory regime. I offer a different viewpoint.
First, our economy is booming and growing. NWT rates of GDP growth in the past decade have consistently been among the highest in Canada. The Conference Board of Canada predicts a sizzling 51 percent growth from 2010-2020 compared to 32 percent and 23 percent in Yukon and Nunavut.
In 1999 we exported about $700 million in goods to other countries; in 2009 about $2.4 billion. Between 2001 and 2009, with a stable population, the number of employed grew by 700. Territorial GDP is twice that of Yukon and three times that of Nunavut. Our economy, our ability to train capable workers, our ability to provide housing, infrastructure and social services all are tasked to the max.
What about the regulatory regime? Critics repeatedly point to cumbersome processes, uncertainty and delays, all scaring away development. In reality, we have a regulatory regime designed for residents to control the pace and scale of development but unable to meet demands due to inconsistent underfunding.
On Tuesday the federal Environment Commissioner warned that Environment Canada is short dollars to meet its responsibilities and the same is obviously true of AANDC. Board appointments languish unfilled and land use plans critical to planned development and regulatory certainty are chronically uncompleted. Endless McCrank, Pollard and other reports simply duplicate the environmental audits yet yield no action on basic necessities. Despite that, we see Gahcho Kue, Prairie Creek, Avalon, Tyhee, Nico, Tamerlane and other developments in the wings. The highest average income, lower unemployment rates, the highest GDP growth, new mines lining up… How economically deprived are we?
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
What are in fact our real economic challenges? Employment remains disproportionately higher in major centres. Diversification of small community economies remains stalled. We accept unreasonable environmental costs for ever more of the almighty dollars. We underappreciate our domestic economy.
However, opportunities abound for development of our forests, fisheries, agriculture, arts and renewable energy resources that will lower operating and living costs. They await our focus.
There is work to be done, but a roaring economy is not a healthy economy. Merry Christmas to all.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
