Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the last few months I’ve seen a number of important achievements for my Nunakput riding: the opening of the RCMP detachment in Sachs Harbour, the 24th anniversary of the signing of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the awarding of the new exploration bids in the Beaufort Sea, and at last, my access road 177 has made it into the government’s plans thanks to the Building Canada Fund and all 19 Members’ support. I thank you.
Although we have so much to celebrate, Mr. Speaker, life in the small communities, like those I represent, continues to be very difficult. The programs and standards are not up to the same standards as those in larger centres.
During the session I have spoken about run-down medical equipment in Tuktoyaktuk; the importance of funding the Aboriginal Sports Circles so the youth in the communities have access to the same opportunities as those in the larger centres; the unfairness of claw-backs to the Inuvialuit beneficiary dividend cheques, though it is not income, through the Income Support program; the need to give elders’ cheques twice a month instead of once a month; the lower quality of education in small communities and the need for adequate housing for teachers; the legacy of residential schools; homelessness; shamefully rundown housing with problems such as black mould and elders not being able to open their doors in the winter months; and the high cost of everything, from groceries to heating oil to power, which makes living in Nunakput communities so difficult.
Mr. Speaker, you and my colleagues can expect to hear me raise these issues again and again until I make some progress on them. I look forward to working with my fellow Regular Members and Ministers to address these concerns. We are now coming to the end of the budget session, and I’m pleased to say that our long debates resulted in some victories for the Northwest Territories and Nunakput.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In particular, the court worker and renewable resource officers positions, which were slated to be cut, were reinstated, thanks to the support of my colleagues. I’m very much looking forward to returning to Nunakput and visiting all my constituents in the near future. I would like to thank them for being a strong voice and coming forward with their issues and concerns. I want to assure them that I’ll be continuing to work hard on their behalf to improve life in our communities.
This is our last day of sitting. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the hard-working staff of the Office of the Clerk, my colleagues and you, Mr. Speaker, for guidance and support during this long sitting. I would also like to wish everyone a happy Aboriginal Day and Canada Day. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
