Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to give a statement on Our Lady of Fort Providence Catholic Church in my home constituency. As all Members are aware, the church has been shut down since the fall of 1989. Since that time, I have asked the Department of Culture and Communications to provide the funding necessary to stabilize and restore this historic property.
During the first session of this Assembly, I lobbied aggressively to have this funding made available so that the church could be open in time for the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, I was not successful in my attempt. I would like all Members to know that the stabilization and restoration of this church remains a priority of mine. It remains of great historic and cultural significance to the people of Fort Providence.
I know that the 1992-93 capital budget contains funding of $251,000 for Our Lady of Fort Good Hope Church in Fort Good Hope. I understand that this church is recognized as a national historic property and the funding for its restoration is cost-shared with the federal government. Mr. Speaker, I have
I would ask the cabinet to develop a consistent policy that sets out the priorities and requirements for funding historic property so that the rules are known by all. In the meantime, our church at Fort Providence continues to sit empty. I will continue to lobby to ensure that this does not continue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.