Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On May 28, 29 and 30 I attended the 2008 Western Premiers’ Conference in Prince Albert Saskatchewan. As I stated in my Budget Address, I intended to focus my attention on delivering the message of our territory and our people to those that need to hear it. The Northwest Territories had the full attention of western Premiers and succeeded in getting their support for issues important to us.
The Premiers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut and the NWT, along with the Deputy Premier from the Yukon, talked about the strength of the western economy, our collective accomplishments and our shared sense of optimism for the future. Over the last few years we have witnessed tremendous economic growth in the west, a region quickly becoming the economic engine of this country. The North is clearly part of the new west with little doubt that the economic development of the Northwest Territories is important to the west and ultimately to Canada’s future.
There is a genuine interest by all western Premiers to lend their support to do their part to make sure that the territories are part of the unprecedented growth of the western economy. My fellow Premiers joined me in my call to the federal government to provide strategic federal infrastructure investments for the North. I reminded Premiers that this country has a long history of making large investments in infrastructure in support of a broader national vision, and it is only fitting to articulate that support in the hometown of John Diefenbaker, who had plans to open up the North for development through the construction of basin opening infrastructure.
At the meeting all western Premiers also expressed strong support for Jordan’s Principle — the principle that jurisdictions should not get in the way of providing health or other services to aboriginal children in need, no matter where they live. Premiers are committed to do their part and look to the federal government to do theirs. In fact, the example of the NWT was cited, where the cumulative shortfall for health care funding provided for services to aboriginal people on behalf of the federal government is equivalent to one-third of our annual health budget. Premiers agreed that this is unacceptable and called on the federal government to meet these responsibilities for health care services. To show their continued commitment to advancing aboriginal interests, Premiers also joined leaders on the National Day of Action and participated in their efforts to raise awareness of the issues affecting aboriginal people across this country.
Mr. Speaker, during our discussions Premiers also discussed the need to consider alternative energy sources to reduce the dependency on diesel as a fuel source for communities in the North. Premiers were receptive to our message about the great work that is being done in our territory to develop our rich hydro potential and to be a leader in the area of wind technology. In considering clean alternative energy, there is widespread recognition that we are sitting on huge resource potential that will eventually be tapped through the development of the Mackenzie Gas pipeline.
Overall, Mr. Speaker, this was a very successful meeting in advancing the priorities of the GNWT with our western counterparts. Investment in infrastructure, seeking health funding from Ottawa and development of new energy resources are just a few of the important priorities that all Premiers supported at this year’s Western Premiers’ Conference. Building and maintaining strong partnerships with our provincial and territorial neighbours is a key component to achieving the goals of this Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. Ministers’ statements, the honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
