Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I am concerned about a recent statement in this Legislative Assembly about the proposed Mackenzie Valley road. People along the valley are very concerned about what they hear on CBC Radio, which was making reference last week to the Mackenzie Valley road as "a road that goes nowhere." People who live and work in the communities along the Mackenzie Valley have been working hard for many years to promote the construction of this road. This road has many potential benefits.
A road linking the communities in the Mackenzie Valley will eventually support renewable and non-renewable develops such as oil and mineral explorations. This type of exploration and development are essential to stimulate the economy of the whole valley. The Mackenzie Valley Highway has potential to immediately reduce the cost of doing business in all the communities in the valley.
We cannot afford to leave our communities isolated. The proposed road would supply an essential link to prosperity and growth. The Mackenzie Valley road would also provide new opportunities for development of tourism in each of the communities along the way. It would provide access to Inuvik through the Northwest Territories. A loop could be created by joining with the Dempster Highway, Mr. Speaker. This road could provide the backbone of an infrastructure that is so badly needed in these communities. Mr. Speaker, in order to develop our economy, it is essential to develop our infrastructure first. The Mackenzie Valley road would be a very important infrastructure to develop and that way we can develop our economy along the Mackenzie Valley. Mahsi Cho.