Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is our final sitting in the House before the 16th Legislative Assembly will be closed. Some may say, where did the time go, while others may say, finally our time is up.
From the Sahtu’s perspective, we have, and will continue to have, universal issues that need to be resolved with all Northerners. Matters such as the lack of housing units, assessments of people’s health care, protection of our elders, and implementation of specific clauses in our land claim agreements and asserting our Aboriginal rights to the land and how we as Northerners work and live together.
There are many major projects in the Sahtu that need to be paid attention to, such as the Norman Wells health facility and the Sahtu long-term care facility. Also the Tulita new health centre. The Colville Lake airport is about to be completed and the Fort Good Hope new water treatment plant is now underway.
Our winter roads have improved substantially, and now the Deline winter road realignment must be done and completed, as well as other sections of the winter roads in the Sahtu. We need the Bear River Bridge as well as other key bridges in the Sahtu. We have seen the benefits of these bridges on our winter roads.
The Norman Wells natural gas situation is probably the most critical, pressing matter before us. We are appreciative that the government is part of the solution, however, we are not pleased to find out that most of the huge costs will be borne by the Town of Norman Wells. This is wrong. We could have done better to be there for our people. Instead we chose to rationalize our position by stating that the surplus in the Norman Wells savings account should go towards paying the bill. Is this our policy now from here on in?
We have done much in the Sahtu with much important key infrastructure, as well as other regions in the North. However, let’s not cloud it as we have social issues, such as serious problems with our youth drinking and drugging. Who is guiding them? The outrageous standards of living in our small community and people who are living in warehouses and tents today. Much is yet to do in this sitting.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
