Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There’s a song sung by Johnny Cash. It goes “I walk the Line.” I believe today the people in the Sahtu are also walking the line. The Minister of ITI has clearly said no fracking, no development. That’s a clear indication not to frack, not to develop, but can we have it both ways? That is the question.
Many people are divided over the issue of hydraulic fracking. Some people think the social and environmental risks outweigh the benefits. Others believe that the benefits of development and continued oil and gas resources outweigh the risks. People need to decide.
The Northwest Territories is moving ahead to guide practices and make decisions about how we use this technology. Economic development has responsibilities. Are we prepared to be responsible?
Last fall the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment hosted a Sahtu Exploration Readiness Session in Norman Wells. This session brought together the land owners, the oil companies, and GNWT representatives to talk about the benefits of the Canol shale play and the upcoming winter activity that’s going to happen this season. It became clear that everybody has to work together to find solutions to the challenges and to advance the people of the Sahtu. Social issues and addictions prevented some people from benefitting from the economic activity. We must prepare not only for today’s exploration, but for long-term development and production. At the end of the session, participants agreed on some of the action items and the Government of the Northwest Territories has taken the lead on some of these important initiatives.
ITI was the lead on the Mackenzie Gas Project. We have an opportunity to apply some of the lessons learned from the pipeline readiness to the development of the Sahtu. The Sahtu Aboriginal people have developed a comprehensive regional strategy for addictions prevention and treatment. This is a serious challenge and the people are up for that challenge. We have already seen mining companies that cannot meet their hiring targets from socio-economic agreements because of lack of skilled workers and other reasons, we are told. In order to deal with this challenge and to advance our people in this new development, we must be ready.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
There is great potential for the Sahtu in the Northwest Territories. We need to act wisely and make the best use of our time now. We have a chance to strike a balance and get things done now. In the words of Johnny Cash again, when he’s saying I walk the line, I also keep my eyes open all the time.
