Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for two years we have chased the budget and for the next 18 months, it seems as if we will be chasing the deadline to April 1, 1999. Now we know that these are important issues, but to many northerners, we are missing the most important of issues. Mr. Speaker, jobs are what many northerners are looking for, the ability to put food on their tables and to buy warm clothing for their children. I sometimes think that we have forgotten what it felt like to not have any money to provide for our families. Indeed, some here may not have been in that position before.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard and seen the difficulties of many northerners. Many here would say, we know what it feels like to be in that position. I would say that you do not know until you have been there. That is why I say we need to spend as much time on the issue of jobs as we have on reductions, as much time on the issue of jobs as on division or should I say the creation of two new territories. Mr. Speaker, I will give you the example of what I believe can be done. It has the potential to impact many people. It can provide training for surveyors, engineers and operators. It would further open the door to winter tourism. It would not only create a much needed training in jobs, it would also join the Beaufort Delta with the rest of the Western Territory. There are many other positive impacts, too many to list in a short time that I have.
Mr. Speaker, I speak of a road that is already built for the most part. You see right now during the winter months we have the ability to drive from the southern Northwest Territories all the way to Fort Good Hope. What we need to do is to complete this winter road up to the Dempster Highway and preferable to Inuvik. Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity to train people, to put people to work. All we have to do is to decide that this is a worthwhile venture. Thank you.
--Applause