Mr. Speaker, the government will reinvest $1 million in economic development initiatives designed to provide opportunity for northerners.

The community futures program is a community economic development initiative that provides small loans to community businesses and supports the creation of badly needed jobs in small communities. $500,000 will be allocated to this program to assist in the establishment of Community Futures Societies in those regions where none now exist.

The Minister of RWED is also examining ways to supplement this funding to ensure that viable Community Future Societies are functioning in all regions.

$500,000 has been allocated to the NWT Corporation to place increased emphasis on the marketing northern arts, crafts and products outside of the Northwest Territories. The enhanced sale of northern products will maintain and increase the number of jobs supported by the Development Corporation.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Charles Dent has indicated to the federal government our commitment to extend the Canada/NWT Infrastructure Agreement for one further year. This program provides contributions from the federal, territorial and municipal governments and is targeted at the construction of small community infrastructure projects and the creation of much needed short-term employment. The federal and territorial governments will each contribute $1.1 million to this program in 1997-98.

Mr. Speaker, as the Premier has stated on many occasions, we are governing in a time of unprecedented fiscal, economic, social and political change in the Northwest Territories. With change comes some difficult challenges.

As difficult as these challenges may be, we are moving ahead on the issues of fundamental importance to the Northwest Territories. Progress on these issues will not always be easy and, certainly, not without a great deal of debate, but I am confident that if we all work together, we can maintain our course and achieve our goal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause