Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to continue speaking today about economic development and opportunities here in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I serve as chairman on the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure, a position I take very seriously. Our people need opportunities for training and employment that will lead to an increase in the quality of life for our residents here in our Territory. As a government, we have an obligation to pursue opportunities that may present themselves. Also, we must actively seek out other potential opportunities to grow our economy. This is a role of government, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, last November, a federal parliamentary standing committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development visited the three northern territories. They were here in Yellowknife on November 19th and 20th. The committee is chaired by Mr. Bruce Stanton, an MP from Ontario. The committee contains Members from all federal, political parties.
Mr. Speaker, I attended the meetings held here in Yellowknife not because I was invited or asked by our government, but because a colleague of mine who works for an MP in Ottawa phoned me and asked me if I knew the committee was coming to Yellowknife. This was just a few days before the meeting actually took place. Mr. Speaker, it’s not every day that a dozen influential MPs show up in our Territory to talk about the barriers and solutions to northern economic development. As the chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure, you would think that our government may have let me know about the fact that our government was making three presentations to that committee, but they didn’t.
As I sat there listening to the presentations, I didn’t hear any of the three presenters -- Premier Roland, Minister Miltenberger or Mr. Peter Vician, who was presenting on behalf of Minister Bob McLeod -- say anything about the possible relocation of the hundreds of jobs located in Gatineau and Ottawa pertaining to northern development. I also didn’t hear them say anything about an increased military presence or locating any federal institutions here in the Northwest Territories. All of which, Mr. Speaker, would substantially benefit and develop our economy here in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you.
