Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Transportation, for the visit he made to my constituency on January 30 and 31, 1996. The visit began with a very happy evening, celebrating the opening of the new Pangnirtung air terminal; a splendid building which cost over $1 million. I know that the people of Pangnirtung are very happy with this much-needed new facility for their very busy airport.
The next day, Mr. Speaker, we went to Broughton Island. The hamlet council expressed their concerns about their airstrip. The strip is pretty well worn down to bedrock and the hamlet would like it lengthened.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to learn from the Baffin regional office that this project is to go to tender later this month and that there are plans to resurface the runway over three years, beginning with gravel crushing this fall. I understand that this contract is valued at approximately $800,000 for each of the next three years.
Later that day, we went to my home community of Clyde River. There, the hamlet council talked about the need to improve access to a prime hunting area called "Tupiqtaalik." Mr. Speaker, the Minister made a commitment to help the community, and I am very pleased to learn that the sum of $50,000 will be spent this summer and in each of the following three years. Mr. Speaker, this will be a great help to hunters in Clyde River.
The hamlet also talked about the need for renovating the air terminal in Clyde River. Since then, I am pleased to learn that the hamlet has been contracted to perform renovations to improve the situation until a new terminal can be built.
The mayor and hamlet council also discussed the need for a new breakwater and harbour improvements. Once again, I am pleased to learn from Mr. Kunuk, the regional superintendent, that a study of the Clyde River harbour has just been completed by Ferguson, Simek and Clark, which should lead to detailed plans for improving the harbour.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.