Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I read with great interest the editorial in today’s News/North about decentralization. I’m glad that the editor agrees with regional MLAs and supports, “a policy that improves services in remote and isolated communities.”
Certainly we as a government have to continue planning to increase the amount of jobs for our regions. Every job transferred out of Yellowknife brings benefits for a small community and new families that will help the community grow.
In these communities, people with jobs stimulate the service sector as demand rises. For example, the move of the Business Incentive Policy office to Hay River created four jobs. I know that the Department of Public Works and Services assessed all of our communities two years ago, planning for devolution and then decentralization. The office space availability and housing availability rate did not score so well in Fort Simpson. I now can see that the Liidlii Kue First Nation, through their business arm, Nogha Enterprises Limited, is planning to improve the situation.
The Liidlii Kue First Nation will be building a new office right in the heart of Fort Simpson. This is a joint effort with Parks Canada. They are planning on building additional offices for future growth, and our government should be right there beside them to plan the future growth of Fort Simpson, Mr. Speaker.
During question period I will be calling upon the Minister of Public Works and Services to contact Nogha Enterprises Limited in Simpson and see how they can be helpful as they plan for the next round of decentralization. I believe it is time for our government to seriously consider Fort Simpson for the next round of decentralization. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
