Debates of March 29, 2004 (day 10)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m here to tell you today that the Sahtu is open for business. There were four wells being drilled near Colville Lake and two wells drilled just south of Tulita from this past winter’s drilling season. Altogether, that makes six exploration wells and geographical programs running for a total of $56 million and 200 hundred jobs that have been created as a result of this exploration. This doesn’t even begin to recognize the potential, Mr. Speaker.

It is estimated that by the year 2009, if all goes well, more than 6,000 jobs will be created during the three years of construction of the pipeline. Once the pipeline is shipping gas from the Mackenzie Delta, billions of dollars will flow into the Northwest Territories.

Between now and then, however, four years will be spent in public consultation, technical studies, environmental field work, benefit plans and regulatory reviews. These are just the first steps to get the approval for the pipeline to be built. We have to get on with it, Mr. Speaker.

This government has a role to play and the government should be making it easier for these companies to get through all the consultations, environmental work and regulatory processes. Industry needs a one-stop shop, a coordinated approach. The government needs to train our people on how to negotiate with these companies to get all the benefits of exploration and development. We also need the government to encourage industry to work with us. We need help to form joint ventures so our people can get the training to build this pipeline and secure our future. We especially need the government to keep working on the settlement of land claims so all this development can proceed.

I can see an exciting future for our people, Mr. Speaker. We need the government’s help. Thank you.

----Applause