Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very concerned about this government's commitment to the development of the emerging market communities. The Minister of Economic Development and Tourism has informed us that it is the government's intention to spend a greater portion of its money in these communities. I do not see the government following through with a strategy to carry this promise out. Last June, I questioned the Minister regarding the government's decision, at the time, to locate the proposed fire
aircraft maintenance facilities in Fort Smith rather than in Fort Simpson. The rationale was that Fort Smith had a more sophisticated economy. The Minister was not willing to reconsider that decision.
Mr. Speaker, communities such as Fort Smith and Hay River are more developed in large part because the government has spent more money in the past in those communities on the development of their infrastructure. With more development for infrastructure, it then seems to be easier for government to rationalize the decentralization of programs and the placements of new government facilities in those communities. The benefits to develop communities continues to grow. In the meantime, other communities with great potential are left out. Fort Simpson has the potential to develop a solid economic base, to be the transportation hub for the Mackenzie, but it needs coordinated government support to lay the foundation for its future.
The Special Committee on Northern Economy, in 1989, recognized that government must carry on the work of development in underdeveloped communities until it is viable for the private sector to take over. Fort Simpson needs the assistance of a government plan for the development of more lots and subdivisions to accommodate growth in the community, and a plan for water and sewer services required for the new living areas. If business and industry is to grow, alternatives for a cheaper power source for the community must be explored. The options of receiving a power supply for the hydroelectric facility at Taltson River and of connecting with the BC power grid should be explored. Fort Simpson is a tax-based municipality, but not a large one. The government must demonstrate that it is solidly behind its desire to progress. The pay off for this investment, in terms of economic growth...