Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk again about the camping area near Fort Resolution on the Slave River referred to as Big Eddy. In the past few days I have heard many of my colleagues and the Minister of ITI stand up in the House and talk about the importance of tourism in the NWT. This is good to hear, Mr. Speaker, but at the same time I have to wonder about this, because in my riding there is only one territorial park even though there are many areas that can be easily designated as parks.
So we need to start looking at extending some of this support for tourism into the areas in Tu Nedhe. Mr. Speaker, the traditional area known as Big Eddy is one such area. Listening to the community as MLA, the community would like to see this area become a territorial park. I have stood in this House on numerous occasions and talked about the limited opportunities in both Lutselk'e and Fort Resolution. Mr. Speaker, establishing a territorial park at Big Eddy will enhance the economic pictures in Fort Resolution and it will provide for immediate and long-term job opportunities for residents, and will also mean more money for the community businesses from visiting tourism and also some short-term employment during construction.
Mr. Speaker, just as important, if not more important, is the protection of certain areas because of its cultural importance and preserving its ecological integrity. Mr. Speaker, the World Conservation Union defines a protected area as an area of land and/or sea especially dedicated for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of the natural and associated culture resources and managed through legal or other affective means. Based on this, I would say that the Big Eddy on the Slave River is one such area.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, the development of this area as an overnight territorial park will provide many boating and fishing opportunities for the residents of Fort Res.
Later today I will have questions on how the community can realize its goal of getting Big Eddy designated as a territorial park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
