Mr. Speaker, when it comes to NWT small communities, each is impacted by the high cost of living, limited business opportunities, lack of sustainable employment, lack of acceptable housing, lack of an acceptable level of health care, education and infrastructure; all issues that have been discussed on the floor of this House over the years by various MLAs with minimal resolve.
Mr. Speaker, in a previous statement I pointed out that, above all, one major project that would have a substantial impact on the economy and on the lives of residents in the NWT is the completion of the Mackenzie Valley Highway from Wrigley to the Dempster.
Mr. Speaker, the Mackenzie Valley Highway is designated as part of Canada's national highway system, a national dream in the making since as early as the 1940’s.
Realizing this dream has been difficult for many reasons, and it is a dream that cannot be realized without the financial and political support of the federal government and the persuasive political will by this government.
Mr. Speaker, the residents of the NWT are still looking for that elusive highway and the possibilities it would provide and the dreams it would make come true for many.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to major life changing projects, governments excel at developing more strategy, more social and economic studies, more evaluations, more planning, disjointed consultations, red tape and restrictive legislation – all which work against timely development while residents are forced to scratch out a living where not only do you now need two persons in the household working, but your children as well if you expect to make ends meet.
Mr. Speaker, over the past several decades, minimal progress has been made on advancing this project, and the lack of speed at which progress is being made is only resulting in the cost of construction to continue to rise exponentially.
This elusive highway, once pegged to cost around $700 million for the Wrigley to Norman Wells portion, we can now expect that number to grow to well over a $1 billion dollars. Now you add in the Norman Wells to the Dempster portion, we can add another $1.5 billion plus to the cost. Then we are looking at around $2.5 billion to complete.
With the cost of labour, fuel, and materials rising, we can only expect that construction costs will continue to rise to the point where the political will may wane and the completion of the highway will need a push from Indigenous governments and industry to make it a reality. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we talk of lowering the cost of living, providing a gateway to resources, fortifying northern sovereignty, then it is imperative that this government aggressively encourage the federal government to step up to the plate financially on this dream. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
