Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Approximately one month ago our federal counterparts in Parliament, for the first time since the federal election on May 2, 2011, the first order of business of the new government will be to pass the budget. Mr. Speaker, hopefully, our $150 million for the all-season road from Tuk to Inuvik will be included.
This Assembly and this government should do whatever it can to make this happen. Northerners working together. I believe we have one chance at this to make sure the budget includes the Tuk-Inuvik highway.
Mr. Speaker, this government has to deliver projects, not just to let it sit on the books with the future promises. Mr. Speaker, this government has promised the northern region will get their fair share of capital infrastructure and spending, but recent spending shows the opposite. Projects like the Deh Cho Bridge are draining a lot of the resources and the funding time, while projects seem to be on the back burner.
Mr. Speaker, several months ago the federal government tabled a budget that included $150 million for the road from Tuk to Inuvik, finally linking Canada coast to coast to coast. As mentioned last week, this is a result of many, many years of lobbying and work from the community governments, my office and other organizations. Unfortunately, this commitment was then questioned when the country went to the federal election. If this project does not happen, the economic conditions in the northern region will be severely hampered in years to come. This will definitely be a huge shot in the arm.
Many regions, including Nunakput, are enjoying a robust economy from the diamond exploration and the huge infrastructure spending. Mr. Speaker, this project would not only generate huge employment for the region but would also provide infrastructure to industry. This project would also seriously reduce the high cost of living in the small communities in Nunakput. We are in a very delicate situation and a limited window of opportunity. This government must not allow this commitment to fall through the cracks, especially near the end of this government. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this year will be a year where the northern region will get their fair share.
Mr. Speaker, thank you. 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.
