Thank you, Madam Speaker. Good afternoon. We’re well into the second half of the 17th Legislative Assembly. I’d like to highlight some of the significant accomplishments in my beautiful Deh Cho riding and the important work that remains to be done.
Progress has been made on the new Fort Providence Health Centre. The foundation is ready and the construction will resume in April. Community members and especially front-line workers look forward to the completion of the new facility.
I would like to congratulate Mr. John Leskiw, the new mayor-elect of Enterprise, on winning the recent election. Strong municipal governments are important to all the communities. Along with the constituents, I look forward to the leadership that he will bring.
The K’atlodeeche Reserve continues to advance its fibre optic project and plans to extend the line further. The community continues to express concerns surrounding income support and, like all other communities in the Deh Cho, is concerned about current unemployment rates and the lack of job opportunities, especially for local youth and people who are not available to work in the mining sector.
Kakisa wants to build a new community hall and revitalize its fish plant. I’m pleased to see the commitment to a commercial fishery in this year’s budget and hope that Kakisa will benefit from this investment.
The biomass industry holds great potential for the Deh Cho communities. My constituents want to see projects and advance wood pellet manufacturing and similar initiatives. Forest management agreements have been signed or are being negotiated with a number of communities and we hope that leads to the development of a viable industry. The hope that during the remainder of this government that important groundwork is laid for renewed forest management legislation that will assist the Northwest Territories in diversifying its economy through forest resources.
The Deh Cho is the first community visitors see when they come to the NWT, and their first impressions are important. There is huge opportunity for the development of tourist attractions. Initiatives such as a bison interpretative centre, promotion of the Deh Cho Bridge and the Deh Cho Connection could help this spectacular part of the NWT reach its tourism potential and bring welcome activity to our communities.
In the final year of the 17th Assembly, I encourage the community members, leadership and governments to work together to reach the goals of healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities in the Deh Cho. Mahsi.
