Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak about the unbelievable costs of not having a highway in the Sahtu. Mr. Speaker, we did have a highway at one time built in 1943. It went from Norman Wells to the Yukon Territory. It took about 13 months to build, Mr. Speaker, no problem. The U.S. government said go, and away it went. Mr. Speaker, that is the problem of freedom.
Mr. Speaker, we have witnessed and heard about the high cost of store bought foods and the expensive housing costs, just the basics to continue to be a major issue for our people in the Sahtu. In November, INAC updated statistics on the northern food basket for a family of four between 2005 and 2009. Not to my surprise, Norman Wells went up more by 17 percent. That is because we don’t have a highway into our communities. We are paying the increase in price of isolation, Mr. Speaker. How can a family find the money to cover the food, clothing and shelter, let alone find money for vacation trips? We don’t have a highway, so families are taking advantage of the two-month window of opportunity in the winter, drive out, do their shopping and possibly take a little vacation. Then they load up their trucks with a year’s supply, drive back into the Sahtu.
Mr. Speaker, a few years ago Cece McCauley wrote an article in the News/North called “The Cost of No Highway.” She has some good points. A highway could save the Sahtu residents their hard-earned money by reducing the cost of freight of groceries and dry goods. Fuel and building supplies would also likely decrease, Mr. Speaker.
In the meantime, something needs to be done. Disparity in the Sahtu doesn’t reflect very well on the federal government. Build a highway, Mr. Harper. As the saying goes as in the movie, go west, young man, go west. Maybe we should open up the CANOL road again, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
