Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate those comments. Having banged my personal pointed little head against the wall for many years on this small crafts harbour program, I do not underestimate the task before the Minister in trying to liberate some of this money, but I do wish him well. I think that it is a national program and we should demand our fair share of the resources. It is an issue in my riding.
I have talked at length in this House about special problems in Frobisher Bay with the tide and the difficulties of accessing the beach. I am grateful for the work which has been done by the department, to improve the beach in Iqaluit in recent years. I am very impressed with the method of community consultation and the way they have worked with the town and HTA. I am looking forward to doing a little more work again this summer. I think we could stretch our precious dollars so much farther if we could do so in partnership with the Government of Canada.
I would also like to ask the Minister about bigger issues than the small harbours. I think the Minister also acknowledges that there is also a need for major marine facilities. We really do not have anything in Nunavut, that I know of, except docks that have been built by the private sector, such as Nanisivik. Otherwise, the only good port facilities are either in Quebec, the Maritimes or in Greenland. Is improving our major marine infrastructure requirements also something that is being pursued? I believe there is an opportunity with the discussion of transportation infrastructure with the Government of Canada. It may be diminishing by the day as an election looms. I know there are discussions occurring on the work on the port and road at Coppermine. Are there also other major marine infrastructure requirements which the Minister has in mind, and that the department has identified, for which we should again pursue the federal government to do its part as a national program in cooperation with our government? Are there other large marine projects being pursued? Of course, I have one in mind quite close to home, but I know that Frobisher Bay is not the only major port where it could be done and improvement could be made. Thank you.