Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot did benefit some years ago from the previous government's decentralizing and creating a new region there, so it has been the recipient of a decentralization program in the past. This time, Mr. Speaker, as I said before, the decentralization process was tied very closely to the budget impacts, and we were trying to mitigate the effects of budget impacts on communities and also, as I said before, try to beef them up a little bit. Why would we be talking about mining in the Coronation Gulf area in the Kitikmeot Region? Because, Mr. Speaker, in the Northwest Territories we have to use everything that is available to us to develop our economy. In Norman Wells it was oil because oil was there. You will find not a whole lot of government people in Norman Wells. Mr. Speaker, in Hay River it was fishing and it was transportation, and there is not a lot of government in Hay River. So the Kitikmeot is coming on stream mining-wise. Local people are feeling better about it because we are going to be supporting them in getting those jobs and getting those economic benefits, Mr. Speaker, and we are just using that as a natural thing in that particular area to boost that economy. As I said before, it has received decentralization in the past, and we are hoping that mining will cause us to spend money in that area with regard to infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
John Pollard on Question O537-12(2): Lack Of Government Decentralization To Kitikmeot Region
In the Legislative Assembly on June 16th, 1992. See this statement in context.
Return To Question O537-12(2): Lack Of Government Decentralization To Kitikmeot Region
Question O537-12(2): Lack Of Government Decentralization To Kitikmeot Region
Item 5: Oral Questions
June 15th, 1992
Page 627
John Pollard Hay River
See context to find out what was said next.