Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a supplementary appropriation approved by this House is devoting $2 million for reconstruction of the Dettah road this year, with the expectation of further funds next year. The people of Dettah and all who travel there heartily welcome the beginning of the work to build a proper road to this growing community. As anyone who drives the road knows, the work is sorely needed. Making this road construction a priority for use of the Building Canada Fund monies is an encouraging demonstration of our determination to make this project happen. We’re making an excellent start and moving to act for a group of people who, despite their proximity to our capital, have been ignored for too long.
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that considerably more than $2 million or even $4 million will be needed to bring the road up to a serviceable standard. I will ask the Minister later to report to this House on the amount of the latest cost estimate for the entire work. In any event, the cost can’t have gone down and $2 million won’t take the work even halfway to completion.
Mr. Speaker, there have also been some creative proposals for making the road construction a capacity-building and training development project possibly involving the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Deton’cho and the Mine Training Society. A project that prepares local partners to take on further major contracting opportunities, such as the eventual realignment of the Ingraham Trail around the Giant Mine property, would add considerable value to the project. Road construction would not only provide its major primary benefits to Dettah residents and other users, it would pave the way to greater opportunities by growing our local capacity to take on major contracts.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Minister and this House for assigning the funds to get this project underway. I ask the Minister and all Members to recognize that when we start something with strong commitment, we need to keep that priority alive right through to project completion. Perhaps we will have more access to federal dollars to help us in this work. Whatever the source of funding and whoever our partners are, I ask that we be prepared to maintain our commitment to the project and spend good money after good, right through to project completion. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.
