Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to speak today about the Mackenzie Gas Project.
Last month I had the opportunity to accompany Minister Bob McLeod to Calgary, where we met with proponents of the project and industry representatives. Everyone we met with was still very positive about the future of this project, and I believe now that the Joint Review Panel report has been released the time has arrived for our government to ramp up its efforts to demonstrate the tremendous benefits of this project to this Territory and to everyone in this country.
Minister Bob McLeod has done a great job at championing the cause, but we need to show our support as an entire government body to demonstrate that we fully support the MGP and everything it means to the future of our people and Territory. A motion to that effect is in the works.
This project will represent the beginning of an era of prosperity and growth for our Territory. I would expect that the project would proceed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner which will lead to sustained oil and gas activity, economic and infrastructure development, prosperity, stability, and a brighter future for the people of the Northwest Territories for generations to come. All residents have the potential to benefit from this project, not only through access to jobs and business opportunities during the construction phase but also through sustained opportunities as we see the re-emergence of this industry in the Northwest Territories.
This project and resulting diversification of our economic base can also contribute to governments in the Northwest Territories taking on more of a leadership role and demonstrating that we are capable of managing our own destiny. This will be further evidence to strengthen the argument for shifting responsibility and authority to the people of the Northwest Territories.
The benefits of this project will not only accrue to the Northwest Territories but to other parts of this country, particularly Alberta and Ontario which will see contributions to the economy in the order of $10 billion and $5 billion respectively. The overall contribution to the Canadian economy is expected to be in the neighbourhood of $86 billion. Make no mistake, the Mackenzie Gas Project will be a nation-building exercise.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
It will address the federal government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to seeing Canada’s North reach its full potential, and a clear expression of Canada’s commitment to Arctic sovereignty. These are lasting legacies that the federal government cannot continue to overlook.
Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Nunakput, Mr. Jacobson.
