Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak about the lack of attention to Highway No. 7 once again. As you know, the Inuvik-Tuk highway is a major item of business for the 17th Legislative Assembly. The federal government has told Canadians this project will fulfill the dream of uniting our country from coast to coast to coast. It has a budget of about $150 million over five years for this project. The GNWT will also spend a share on this highway, but the final costs and economic benefits continue to remain unknown.
Meanwhile, the Liard Highway, Highway No. 7, doesn’t seem to be within driving distance of either government’s capital plans. Residents of Fort Liard and constituents of Nahendeh are frustrated about this lack of attention. Highway No. 7 has proven economic benefits. It opens our communities to both economic and industrial development that can lead to investment into the rest of the Northwest Territories. Spectacular scenery, wildlife and the accessibility from southern Canada make this region an ideal destination for tourists, but the number of visitors to the Deh Cho has been declining. Road conditions are to blame. We are losing money from potential revenue in all areas. We need to invest money into this highway. It will definitely pay for itself in the long run.
I strongly support northern development. I respect the aspirations of people in our northernmost regions, but the total neglect of maintaining infrastructure in one territory while investing so much in another does not help us over the long haul. Our federal engagement strategy must include a discussion of all highways, including Highway No. 7.
Highway No. 7 does not have any investments in the 2012-13 Capital Plan and this is frustrating to me as an MLA. My constituents depend on Highway No. 7 for their living and cannot do it when it is closed for weeks at a time every spring.
At the appropriate time I will ask the Minister of Finance for our government strategy on investing into Highway No. 7. Mahsi cho.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
