Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to make my statement that will help not only government in developing a sustainable economy but also, more importantly, the people of Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay and other surrounding communities. There is potential to develop the best known source of limestone in North America, which occurs in large deposits across the south end of Southampton Island. It has been documented that a large deposit of oilbearing shale is located on the island as well. This oil deposit has potential for use in the local power plant and export revenues for Coral Harbour. At the north end of the island, there is a commercial fish quota of 30,000 pounds and a narwhal quota as well. Neither quota has been filled for many years because of the inaccessibility of this area.
Mr. Speaker, in light of high unemployment and lack of sustainable economy in the region, I will be requesting this government to create an action plan to build a substandard road to Tikiraq Bay. Building a substandard road all the way to Tikiraq Bay, with good gravel which does not need to be hauled or crushed readily available, would make it cost effective. There is locally available equipment, business companies and qualified manpower.
Mr. Speaker, later today I will be asking the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism if he has already made some preliminary feasibility studies of those economic potentials. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.