Debates of March 24, 2004 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will remain consistent with the theme of my Member’s statements for this week, using wording that is complimentary to the federal budget address. Although the document acknowledges that much of the funding will not be administered through the Government of the Northwest Territories, this still gives my constituency much relief; the federal government will, once again, make a large investment in supporting a social economy in the North. It is nice to read that the federal budget provides new pilot program funding for the social economy and community economic development organizations for capacity building, financing and research. Although the plan for the projected $90 million in economic development funding has not been established, we feel that this investment is nothing short of a plus for northern economic development programs.

Mr. Speaker, it is encouraging, as well, to see that northern oil and gas development will also see an investment of $75 million over three years to increase federal and regional environmental assessment capacity and streamline the regulatory process. It is exceptionally beneficial for my region of the Northwest Territories as it provides for more research for work associated with development in the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort Sea area.

Mr. Speaker, this funding announcement is crucial to the ongoing commitment to support the oil and gas activity in the North. I am pleased to have read the observations provided by the Minister of Finance this morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, while we were grinding away in this House, with our lean, mean Minister of Health and Social Services -- listening to how he was going to meet the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories on what he was referring to as a shoestring budget of $250 million -- exciting things were happening in Ottawa. The federal Finance Minister was delivering the first sound financial management federal budget under Paul Martin. Although I didn’t get to listen to the budget address, I did take time last night to read through it. I don’t know if this budget was put together with the best interests of Canadians in mind or the sheer desperation of political salvation.

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At one point, Mr. Speaker, I was feeling really good as I imagined that it was our very own Finance Minister addressing the needs of our residents and communities and doling out the figures to address our priorities. Figures like the health, $34 billion over five years with an additional $2 billion...Learning? Millions. I couldn’t even add them up, Mr. Speaker. I never had time. Learning and commercialization, $280 million over two years. Communities, $7 billion into the hands of communities over the next 10 years. And then, Mr. Speaker, I woke up. But one line in that paragraph under municipalities did catch my attention, Mr. Speaker. It said, “This is real money for improved roads, clean air and expanded local services.”

Mr. Speaker, on my way to work this morning, I listened to the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew giving her take on the budget. She was saying that it is the best the North has ever had. Their territorial formula financing of $150 million, health support of $60 million, economic development of $90 million, northern oil and gas, $75 million, contaminated sites, $3.5 million…Mr. Speaker, I was excited once again in driving to work having listened to our MP on the radio, only to get to the Legislative Assembly and then get a briefing from our Finance Minister saying that actually we got $7.5 million and a forgiveness of $50 million over one year.

Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to speak negatively to the budget. I think there were some good things for the North, although it is not in our hands. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to close my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You have unanimous consent to conclude your statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Although the money is not totally in our hands, there is a lot of money earmarked with DIAND for the North and the Northwest Territories. I think it is incumbent to us to keep the fire on DIAND to make sure that we get as many of those resources in the Northwest Territories as we possibly can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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