Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Several months ago the federal government tabled a budget that included $150 million for the Tuk-Inuvik highway, not Highway No. 7, finally linking Canada coast to coast to coast. The result of many years of lobbying and hard work from the community, the leaders in the Beaufort-Delta, my office, and other organizations.
Unfortunately, with calling the election, the budget was not ratified in the House of Commons. However, the residents of Inuvik and Tuk and all over Nunakput are hopeful that the commitment with the first budget with this new federal government that this project will provide employment for the Beaufort-Delta, reduce the cost of living for the residents of Nunakput, and will be a vital piece of infrastructure for the industry in the region. Once the highway is built, many contractors and their employees will benefit from maintenance contracts to keep the road open and in good operating condition.
We’re all facing a delicate situation here that needs to be coordinated in a focused approach, to ensure that the funding commitment from the federal government does not fall through the cracks. The Tuk-Inuvik highway is an important first step for building the Mackenzie Valley Highway. It is important that we remain focused on the prize, and that it does not fracture along regional lines and confuse messaging to the federal government.
The Mackenzie Valley Pipeline is another important consideration that makes building the highway down the river more feasible for Canada to consider.
I’m urging the government to work with me, the leadership of the Beaufort-Delta and other organizations that work tirelessly for funding in this important project and important infrastructure for the whole territory. This will create jobs for everybody that we haven’t had work in the Beaufort-Delta in the last four years. Everybody is finding there’s a lot of struggling going on.
I will have questions for the Minister of Transportation at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
