Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. During the 11th Assembly, I am sure you remember that the Hon. Gordon Wray tabled a major economic development strategy. One of the key elements of this strategy was to assist smaller centres in developing their emerging economic potential. Sixteen communities were identified as emerging market communities because they had the most potential for growth. It was recognized that emerging market communities are often at the centre of a regional transportation network and are in position to serve a regional market as well as a local one.

In contrast, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Inuvik are identified as mature market communities that are generally self-sufficient and insular in terms of employment, income and service. I am concerned about the type of reasoning in the government's capital planning process, Mr. Speaker, in assessing the location of major projects. Some feasibility studies have favoured mature market communities because of a wider range of local contractors which would allow socio-economic benefits to be maximized within the boundaries of a single community. There seems to be an irrational fear that in emerging market communities, project funding will flow to contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers located in other communities of the region.

Mr. Speaker, the end result of this thinking is that government will continue to place major institutions and facilities in the major market communities that I mentioned and, to me, coming from a small community, it is like the rich get richer. I think it is imperative that the government ensure that emerging market communities places like Coppermine, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet and the rest -- are not penalized because local economies are in the developmental stage. I am encouraged, however, to learn today that there is an effort by government to try to share some of the economic activity surrounding government and capital developments...