Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This month it is our task to approve the Government of the Northwest Territories’ 2014-15 Infrastructure Acquisition Plan. By now Members have all reviewed the plan and discussed how it meets our communities’ needs. Our wishes will always exceed what fits into the budget, but our government still needs to focus on our small communities, especially in the Deh Cho.
Enterprise and Kakisa need local water treatment plants. There is no reason that in a jurisdiction with such an abundance of high-quality fresh water, that these communities must rely on trucked services from Hay River. The government can argue that it is up to the communities to fund this sort of project themselves, but while Enterprise and Kakisa might have the capacity to maintain a small-scale water treatment plant, they do not have the capacity to undertake such a project.
Mining and exploration camps provide clean drinking water, demonstrating that affordable small-scale water treatment solutions exist. I encourage the government to work with our small communities and take a more innovative approach to their water needs.
Schools in the Deh Cho and all our small communities need reliable Internet access, physical education, recreation and library facilities that can serve the whole community. They need to be well-lit, clean, safe places to work, play and learn.
Other Members as well as myself are sorry to note that the 2014-15 plan does not place enough emphasis on our school infrastructure needs. I am pleased, however, that the 2014-15 Capital Plan includes a new health centre in Fort Providence. It will make a difference not only to the people of the hamlet but throughout the Deh Cho. Our communities need quality health care. Service delivery is obviously different than in large centres, but the facilities need to be attractive to skilled professionals like doctors, nurses and teachers, and offer the amenities they need to do a good job serving the people.
The Deh Cho is one of the most accessible regions of the Northwest Territories, and one of the most breathtaking in terms of its landscape and scenery. The 2014-15 Capital Plan includes enhancements to our territorial parks in the Deh Cho. Tourism opportunities abound in my riding, especially as we promote the Deh Cho Bridge. Efforts to maintain highways throughout the region will only make the destination more popular. Our parks will improve visitors’ experiences in the Northwest Territories and make them want to return.
Investments in territorial infrastructure are truly that: investments, investments in our public places, our people and our future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
