Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about the real and lasting benefits that need to be realized from resource development in the Northwest Territories.

Everyone knows that economic activity associated with a project of the magnitude of the Mackenzie gas pipeline is enormous. It would be the envy of any jurisdiction to experience the contracts, the jobs and the boom of such a development. Mr. Speaker, we, as northern leaders, representing the interests of our constituents, cannot be nearsighted. We cannot succumb to the temptation to support development that in the short time, on the good side, will supply us with business, service, transportation, exploration and value-added sectors, but in the long term, will leave us beholden to the goodness of the government-of-the-day in Ottawa for years to come.

We are understandably interested in ensuring that we are poised to benefit from these activities, but can be assured through things such as a sound socioeconomic agreement. It’s the challenge of managing megaprojects and resource development to realize benefits along the way. We are poised and ready to participate in everything from pipe coating to the transportation of tons of materials and supplies needed to build a pipeline. I know the businesses in my riding that I represent are preparing for and anticipating the needs of industry but, Mr. Speaker, there is a bigger picture and it would be irresponsible of this government to ignore that bigger picture.

After the boom of construction, there has to be a lasting residual benefit and a legacy to northerners. That piece is a rightful and fair share of royalties.

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Without the underpinning of near-term predictable revenues from royalties, our ability as northern governments to provide program services and infrastructure is going to be seriously limited. We have already invested a huge amount in preparation for this pipeline and we have done it on our limited resources. Projecting into future needs based on the impact of population growth, social challenges and infrastructure demands, we are going to be seriously fiscally challenged. We need a vision and leadership that is farsighted.

The folly of being nearsighted reminds me of a story in the Bible in the Old Testament about two brothers. The older brother was entitled to his birthright, but because he’d come in from the land and he was so hungry, he gave up his inheritance for a small bowl of soup. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent from my colleagues to conclude my statement.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mrs. Groenewegen, you may conclude your statement.

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. As I said, the older brother came in from the land. He was so hungry that he quickly gave up his inheritance for a bowl of soup, which satisfied his temporary needs. He later tried to recover it as he wept with bitter tears, but it was too late. Just as the resources of Alberta belonged to and benefited Albertans, a fair share of the non-renewable resources of the NWT belong to northerners and the governments that represent them.

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The land and the resources on and under that land are the inheritance of northerners, and that, Mr. Speaker, is not negotiable. When Premier Handley and Minister Roland go to Ottawa, take this message: We were not elected to sell out the inheritance of this generation or generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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