Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of us in this Chamber may have heard of a little project referred to as the Deh Cho Bridge. As a matter of fact, it’s the largest infrastructure project that our government has ever supported to date. With all projects, it certainly has had its challenges, its issues and certainly it’s had its concerns. But frankly, let’s put it on the record: what project hasn’t had problems, challenges, or issues or concerns?
We all know that the Deh Cho Bridge was a project born out of the vision and aspirations of the people and the community of Fort Providence. It’s a project that brought together an excellent partnership to the table, the Dene and the Metis of that region. In an area that often has been described to me as certainly an economically depressed region, this was a great opportunity for these people to be involved in a project.
It’s well known that I’ve been a stalwart supporter of this project, this partnership, and I’ve certainly stood behind them steadfastly, the people of Fort Providence, who want to be part of their own destiny on their traditional lands. On a number of occasions the Deh Cho Bridge project has been referred to “a gong show.” Clearly in Hansard it is, in my opinion. I’m not speaking for the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation or certainly the people of Fort Providence, but I’m not sure how anyone can see or hear those repeated comments referring to it as a gong show as constructive criticism in any way; a viewpoint that I think is insulting and even maybe personal at times.
In speaking to the former Member, who I got to know over eight years, the Member for Deh Cho that is, he often told me how language use like that in the House is very hurtful to the people of the community, the proponents of the project, the vision of the people. So I’m not here to split hairs today, Mr. Speaker, but the fact is although there were numerous examples, the challenge is out there to find one example that seemed to stand for picking on a project of that nature.
Mr. Speaker, implied or direct, I want to make clear in this House today that any attempt to paint a picture that I do not support First Nations’ projects and their aspirations is wrong. I will continue to question the realignment of Highway No. 4 on the process, not the project, and certainly not the successful proponents and any attempt to make it any other issue will certainly be met head on by me.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
