Debates of October 13, 2004 (day 19)

Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. I would like to begin by saying what a great pleasure it is to be here in the Legislature again. Since this House last sat, it has been a busy time in my riding of Nahendeh. During the course of the summer, I had the opportunity to visit all the communities in my riding. On two different occasions, it was my honour to be accompanied in the communities by various Ministers of the government: Minister Bell, Minister Krutko, Minister McLeod and Minister Miltenberger. I would like to thank each of the Ministers for taking the time to come to my riding to listen to the people firsthand. I can honestly say that your commitment has generated a great deal of goodwill in my constituency towards the government. People were able to see and hear firsthand your genuine concern for their problems.

Today I would just like to take a little time to identify a few of the issues that are particularly important to the people in my riding. These are issues I will be speaking to during the course of this session of the House.

In the coming days, I will be addressing the need for a school gymnasium in the community of Nahanni Butte. I believe it is a simple matter of fairness and social equality that all NWT residents receive the same basic level of service before we consider increasing and improving services that others already receive.

As always, housing issues remain a priority. Though we have significant problems with housing everywhere, in my riding I believe these problems are not insurmountable. We have much work to do to address the deficiencies in housing, but at the same time we also have good, dedicated people working in the communities who are working hard to solve these problems.

Communities in the Nahendeh riding are also looking at establishing a single regional airline. This will ensure full and meaningful local participation in the airline business as it grows in the years ahead, and they’re looking to the government to support them in this venture.

Perhaps the most significant issue we are faced with right now is the proposed construction of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline. People in my riding are very concerned about the negative effects it will have on their lives. They are looking for ways to benefit from the project, but also ways to mitigate the impacts it will bring. They will be looking to this government for assistance in helping them to build capacity and to prepare for their future.

Politically, too…

Excuse me, Mr. Menicoche. Your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Mr. Menicoche.

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Politically, too, the First Nations do want to have recognition for using the lands that they have lived on since time immemorial. I will strive to be supportive of these efforts.

In closing, I would once again like to applaud this government for taking the time to visit the communities in my riding, especially the smaller communities. There’s no doubt in my mind that community visits such as these on a regular basis are a valuable exercise in effecting good representative government in the North. I will most certainly be extending more invitations to the Members of Cabinet to visit my riding in the future. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause